Concept 2 of 6
Even & Odd
Today's big idea
Even numbers pair up with none left over; odd numbers leave one alone.
Only the last digit decides: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 are even.
How it works
👀 What's going on?
Can 7 children make equal pairs? Try it and one is always left over.
💡 Here's the trick
8 is EVEN
Everyone paired ✓
7 is ODD
One left over ✗
Only the last digit picks the team
EVEN Team 👯
ODD Team 🧍
An even number splits into two equal groups with none left over. An odd number always has one left over.
Only the last digit decides which team a number joins, so 54 is on the EVEN team and 63 is on the ODD team. What about 0? Zero has no leftovers to ruin the pairs, so it joins the Even team too.
✍️ Try it
Look at 130. What is the very last digit? Does that make it even or odd?
⚠️ Watch out
Don't get tricked by the front of the number! In 235 the first digit is 2, which is even, but we ONLY look at the caboose, the last digit. That is 5, so 235 is ODD.
Watch me solve one
Quanta solves it
“Watch how I think through one of these — then you try.”
THE PROBLEM
“Is 246 even or odd?”
- 1
Look at the last digit
The number ends in 6. Only that digit matters.
- 2
Can it pair up?
6 makes three neat pairs, none left over.
- 3
Answer ✓
246 is even
Now you try one — same steps, different story 👇
See it in action
⚡ Time to play!
Look at the last digit of 46. Drop its 6 dots into pairs. Is anyone left without a partner?
46
Click a dot to drop it into a pair (0/6)
Quick check
✅ VERIFICATION
Which of these numbers is ODD?
⚡ Finish the activity above first to answer.
Keep going!
Up next: The Place-Value House
Where a digit sits decides what it is worth.