group

Everyday

1. A group is a number of things or people that are together or belong together: a group of friends. tree →
2. A group is a band that plays music. tree →
3. To group things is to put them together in sets: group the shapes by colour. tree →

In the lessons

a set of things; equal groups for multiplying and dividing («4 groups of 3» = 4 × 3; «put into 2 equal groups» = divide by 2); two groups put together = add; in class «work in groups», «group work»; in science grouping animals (mammals, birds) or materials; in maths grouping in tens

Examples

• When we put two groups together, we add. tree →
• 4 books are put into 2 equal groups. How many books are in each group? tree →
• There are 5 groups with 3 children in each group. tree →
• We worked in groups of four. tree →
• Group the shapes by colour. tree →
• A group of ducks swam across the pond. tree →
• Whales and bats belong to the group called mammals. tree →
• Stay with your group on the school trip. tree →
• Everywhere groups of boys were gathered together. tree →

Note

Two groups put together = add; several equal groups = multiply; a total put into equal groups = divide. Trap: «the number of groups» and «the size of one group» are different numbers; read which one is given. «A group of children is» (one group) — singular verb is usual.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: In Sefer Yetzirah the letters are divided into groups (three mothers, seven doubles, twelve simples). Each group is said to make a different part of the world, the year and the soul. In the primary lessons: a set of things; equal groups for multiplying and dividing («4 groups of 3» = 4 × 3; «put into 2 equal groups» = divide by 2); two groups put together = add; in class «work in groups», «group work»; in science grouping animals (mammals, birds) or materials; in maths grouping in tens

Examples

• tion of numbers and letters ; every letter suggesting a 'number, and every group of letters having a numerical signification, as vital as its literal meaning. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• "Its form is simple and grave; there is nothing like a demonstration nor an argument; but it consists rather of a series of aphorisms, regularly grouped, and which have all the conciseness of the most ancient oracles." (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• With these three classes, or groups, of letters were created the various parts of the world ish'-j), of the year ("Jti') and of tiie soul. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Two groups put together = add; several equal groups = multiply; a total put into equal groups = divide. Trap: «the number of groups» and «the size of one group» are different numbers; read which one is given. «A group of children is» (one group) — singular verb is usual.