rule

Everyday

1. A rule tells what must or should be done: school rules, the rules of a game. tree →
2. In maths, a rule tells how to get the next number, or how to change an input to an output. tree →
3. To rule is to be in charge of a country: the queen ruled for years. tree →
4. To rule a line is to draw it with a ruler. tree →
5. «As a rule» means usually. tree →
6. To rule out is to decide that something is not possible. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: a number pattern rule («add 3») or the rule of a game; also to rule a line; function machine rules; rules of divisibility. In science: rules (laws) that nature seems to follow. In everyday life and safety: class rules, road rules, rules keep games fair and people safe. In stories: a king rules a land; «rules are made to be broken» (a saying, not good advice).

Examples

• The rule is «add 4»: 3, 7, 11, … tree →
• What is the rule of the pattern? tree →
• By the rules, each player gets 5 cards. tree →
• Use the rule to find the 10th number. tree →
• Rule a line under the title. tree →
• Our class rule is to listen when someone is speaking. tree →
• The queen ruled the country for a long time. tree →
• As a rule, we eat dinner at six. tree →
• The doctor ruled out a broken arm. tree →
• As a rule they are either fools or swindlers! tree →

Note

In patterns the rule names the operation to repeat. Trap: check the rule on more than the first two numbers. The person who rules is a ruler; the tool for ruling lines is also a ruler. Rules of a game must be the same for every player.

In Jewish tradition

It means to govern; God made the sun and moon to rule day and night, and masters were told not to rule servants harshly.

Interpretation. The rabbis taught that a Hebrew servant must not be worked harshly, and the sun and moon "ruling" shows they serve God's order.

Examples

• Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God. (Torah LEV.25.43, JPS 1917) tree →
• As a servant hired year by year shall he be with him; he shall not rule with rigour over him in thy sight. (Torah LEV.25.53, JPS 1917) tree →
• And God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; and the stars. (Torah GEN.1.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Now at that time the Philistines had rule over Israel. (Prophets JDG.14.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• The sun to rule by day, for His mercy endureth for ever; (Writings PSA.136.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. (Writings PRO.8.16, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

In patterns the rule names the operation to repeat. Trap: check the rule on more than the first two numbers. The person who rules is a ruler; the tool for ruling lines is also a ruler. Rules of a game must be the same for every player.