There are standard questions asked when two people in a new relationship delve into each other’s sexual pasts. How many people you’ve slipped between the sheets with is one of those.

Every person, male or female, handles sharing this number differently. Well, not necessarily. There is one theory – the rule of three.

First popularized in “American Pie 2,” the rule of three tells us when a man divulges his number, you should divide the number by three, and multiply the woman’s number by three.

Why was the number three chosen? Why not two or five? Is it easier to multiply and divide the number three when inebriated? Or did someone just watch one too many episodes of “School House Rock?” Who knows?

Regardless, looking deeper into the women’s side, I would have to agree with the rule of three. Women omit the one night stands. Drunken nights with what’s-his-name are better forgotten by her and never mentioned again. Besides, adding those along with the boyfriends may give her a number too high for decency. She doesn’t want her new beau thinking she’s easy.

But why would a man say he has been with more women than he has? Sleeping with lots of women is not impressive. No one wants to hear, “Hey, you could be the one to break me into the 20s.” Let’s keep it to single digits, shall we? Although, that may promote lying to your partner and I wouldn’t condone that.

So I guess I don’t agree with this whole rule of three theory at all.

And what about those who don’t want to tell you their number? You’re left to ponder, are they ashamed? And if so, is it because their number is really high or really low? Either way, not a good thing.

If you’re looking to sleep with someone you should be open enough to share your sexual past, and if you’re not willing to share, maybe you’re not ready for that kind of a relationship.

Then there are those who are a little too open. They’ll tell you anything you want to know, even though you didn’t ask. Sorry mister bar regular, but I would rather not guess how many people from this bar you’ve hooked up with.

It should be said partners want to know the number of people on your roster, not the players. Well, unless one of your bedroom buddies is someone they know, then yes, do tell.

So if your partner has lied to you about how many speeding tickets they’ve received or their grade point average, those might not be the only numbers they have embellished. Keep that in mind.

But seriously, do we really find this theory logical? I mean Stifler thinks this theory is true. Have we learned anything in college? Yes, we have. Stifler is a moron, and the American Pie series isn’t as funny now as it was when we were in high school.