Numbers can be even or odd. You can tell if a number is even or odd by making pairs, counting by 2s, or looking at the digit in the ones place. Numbers that can be counted by 2s are called even.
To better understand even & odd numbers…
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!
Make pairs of chopsticks.
You have 6 chopsticks. You can put all 6 chopsticks into groups of 2. 6 is an even number. An even number of objects can be paired in groups of 2 with nothing left over. You can count by 2s to see even numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8. When you count by 2s you add a pair each time.
Make pairs of shoes.
You have 6 shoes. The shoes are in pairs. 6 is an even number. If you take 1 shoe away there are now 5 shoes. 1 shoe has no pair. 5 is an odd number. Odd numbers are numbers where one object cannot be paired. 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are all odd numbers.
Make pairs of bracelets.
You made 20 friendship bracelets. You want to give the bracelets away in pairs. Count the bracelets as you make pairs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. 20 is even because 20 objects can be put into pairs.
Find the pattern.
Here are some even numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. Do you see a pattern? The digits in the ones place repeat: 2, 4, 6, 8, 0. If the digit in the ones place is even, then the whole number is even. In 34, 4 is even so 34 is even. In 35, 5 is odd, so 35 is odd.
Write an equation to show even numbers.
Even numbers can be shown in two equal groups. 10 can be put into two groups of 5. 5 + 5 = 10. 16 can be put into two groups of 8. 8 + 8 = 16.