RULE OF THREE Definition & Meaning

rule of three

noun

Mathematics.

the method of finding the fourth term in a proportion when three terms are given.

rule of three

noun

a mathematical rule asserting that the value of one unknown quantity in a proportion is found by multiplying the denominator of each ratio by the numerator of the other

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of rule of three¹

First recorded in 1585–95

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But you’ve probably heard of the “rule of three.”

From

So, my wife and I vowed to implement the rule of three.

From

It’s tentatively called “The Rule of Three,” and just like “We the Animals,” it tells the story of three brothers.

From

“Halfway through writing that book, I was coming up with even more, and I thought, it’s not going to fit in one book. So I was thinking two books, and if it’s two books it might as well be three. The rule of three kicked in. It seemed to make sense — it wasn’t daunting, because I found the material so enriching and compelling.”

From

“I call it the ‘rule of three’,” he said.

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