scorching ray rule question regarding when you get each additional ray

[wizardspawn]

I have a question, I have alway's DM'd and played scorching ray so that:

You get one after you reach third. At 7 you get 3, at 11 your capped. It’s like any other spell with a level range as soon as you hit the minimum you get the effect. 4 – 7 = 2, 8 – 11 = 3. I had this same discussion with blake when he told me I was doing it wrong and to do it the way I am now.

Works the same way on every spell. Magic Missile is the same.

You may fire one ray, plus one additional ray for every four levels beyond 3rd (to a maximum of three rays at 11th level). Each ray requires a ranged touch attack to hit and deals 4d6 points of fire damage.

Magic Missle language

For every two caster levels beyond 1st, you gain an additional missile—two at 3rd level, three at 5th, four at 7th, and the maximum of five missiles at 9th level or higher

I have other another DM who agreed with me and now I have a few players challenging me which is fine because I like to play making sure I understand the rules...Is the assessment above correct

[Ciaran Barnes]

I don't see any other way to interpret the spell than the way you have describes, so I am curious. What is your players' interpretation?

[Rathendar]

I've always read it as
3rd-6th = 1 ray
7th-10th = 2 rays
11th+ = 3 rays.
partials rounded down.

[Dolanar]

Rathender is correct, 3rd level you get 1, until you get 4 levels above 3rd you do not get a second ray, so 7+ is 2, 11 is 3.

[wraithstrike]

OP:
Also the way you wrote it is confusing. It is better to just list the exact level that you expect to get extra ray or magic missile, and I see my post was eaten unless you made 3 of these the other copy fell of the main screen.

[Ciaran Barnes]

Wow I misunderstood what you wrote. Yes, rathendar is right.