Odd or Even? Make Pairs!

We can tell if a number is odd or even by making pairs.

What to Do

1. Start with a collection of objects (coins, tokens, cards, toothpicks, whatever you can find)
2. Put the objects into pairs of two
3. Is there one left over?

What We Find

• Even: all objects can be paired, with nothing left over
• Odd: one object is left over after making pairs

Example: Even or Odd Dominos?

Start with:

Let's line them up.

They are all paired ... except one!

So there's an odd number of dominos.

Example: Even or Odd Tokens?

Start with:

Let's make two stacks.

The stacks are the same height, so they are all paired.

So there is an even number of tokens.

Try It Yourself

Now it is your turn.

What objects are you going to use? ______________________________

How are you going to pair them up? ______________________________

Are they all paired or is one left over? ______________________________

So, are there an odd or even number? odd / even

Say It Out Loud

• "The number is even because all the objects can be paired."
• "The number is odd because there is one left over."

Try this activity again, but with a new collection of objects, make them weird ones and pair them in a strange way.