1. The phrase "verify your general rule" means you need to check if a rule or formula you have derived or assumed works correctly. 2. This usually involves substituting specific values into the rule to see if the results match expected outcomes. 3. For example, if you have a general rule like $f(x) = 2x + 3$, verifying it means plugging in values for $x$ and checking if $f(x)$ gives the correct output. 4. Verification helps ensure your rule is valid and can be trusted for solving problems. 5. Always test your general rule with multiple examples to confirm its accuracy.