Odd One Out

The “odd one out” question is one of the most feared questions on quantitative aptitude tests for banking and other competitive jobs. This is because there are no formulas or equations that can help you figure out how to answer these kinds of questions. Instead, you have to use logic and reasoning.

What is ‘Odd one out’?

The “Odd-one-out” is a concept that gets kids to think about a certain area or subject by giving them similar objects or texts in a way that is a bit confusing.

To find the odd one out, kids need to develop their logical thinking by putting these objects (or options) into groups based on what they already know.

Children need to tell the items apart and circle the one that is different in each set.

This activity is set up like this:

Look at the things

Find the things that are the same

find the one with the fewest things in common

Find the one thing that doesn’t fit.

The objects can be from many different types with different levels of difficulty.

The following pattern can be used to find the odd one out:

Look at the things closely.

Describe what you see.

Find the things that are the same

Find the one that is different or not the same.

Tips and Tricks

Series: In a series, the terms or elements follow a clear rule, but it can’t be used as a general rule. You should know what the exact relationship is between the numbers in a set of terms that come in a row. Most of these series are made up of things like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and switching the order of terms and series. The different questions that may be asked may depend on:

1) Odd number/Even number/Prime numbers

The series could be made up of odd numbers, even numbers, or prime numbers, but one number will be different. So, before solving numerical problems on this topic, you should review all of the basic ideas.

2) Perfect squares/Cubes

Squares: 9, 16, 49, 81 ….

Cubes: 27, 64, 125, 216 ….

3) Numbers that are repeated

There are numbers in the series that are multiples of other numbers.

Example: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20…..

Example:- Choose the Odd option.

(A) S

Answer: The letter “S” is the “odd one out” because it has a curved line while the other three letters have straight lines.

Example:- Mark the one that doesn’t belong in the group.

(A) Gloves

Gloves are the “odd one out” because they are worn on the hands. The last three pieces go in the legs.

Example:- Choose the odd option.

(D) Hammer

Answer: The hammer is the “odd one out” because it is used to fix things. There are also kitchen tools that can be used.

Mark the one that doesn’t belong in the list below.

(C) Pentagon

Option C is the “strange one out.” In the other three pictures, the number of sides is the same as the number of equal parts drawn inside the circle. Only in option C does the larger shape [the Pentagon] have 5 sides, but the circle inside the Pentagon has 4 equal parts.

1.Find the outlier:

3, 7, 15, 17, 22, 27, 29.

(a) 15

(b) 17

(c) 22

(d) 27

Solution:

Every number except 22 is an odd number.

The only number that is even is 22.

Answer: 22

2. 15, 25, 30, 34, 40, 50, 65, 75.

(a) 15

(b) 34

(c) 50

(d) 75

Solution:

The only number that is not a multiple of 5 is 34.

34 is not divisible by 5.

3. 4, 9, 25, 35, 36, 64.

(a) 9

(b) 35

(c) 36

(d) None of the above.

Solution:

The pattern is 2², 3², 5², 6², 8². But the square of 35 is not a number.

Answer: 35

4. 8, 12, 16, 21, 24, 28, 32.

(a) 21

(b) 24

(c) 28

(d) 32

Solution:

Every number except for 21 is a multiple of 4.

Answer: 21

Odd one out reasoning

DIRECTIONS for questions : In each of the questions below, there are four words. Three of them are the same in some way, and one is different.

 Pick the one that doesn’t fit.

1.

1. Dollar

2. Peso

3. Ounce

4. Euro

Solved: Choice 3

All but Ounce are names of different types of money, while Ounce is a unit of weight.

2.

1. Geography

2. Algebra

3. Calculus

4. Temperature and Heat

Solved: Choice 4

Everything but thermodynamics is a subject of mathematics.

Conclusion

The odd one out is a simple way to say that something or someone in a group is different and doesn’t fit with the rest in a logical way. If you want to do well on aptitude tests, competitive exams, etc., you should practise these questions a lot more.