Number sets.
The Rings of Power and the Istari wizards occupy the various "nodes" in a fiveXfive quantum mechanical set. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 . . . and their power followed pattern of greatest to smallest. the Nine were the least powerful, then the seven rings, then the five Istari, then the elven Three, then the One. Because the One occupied the primary (and most powerful) position of the numerical set, it controlled the others. When it was destroyed, the set collapsed, leaving the three with no more power than normal, everyday rings.
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