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Odd Numbers: Definition, Types, Examples and Properties

Odd numbers are integers not divisible by two, leaving a remainder of one divided by two. Study notes on odd numbers, including its definition, types, examples and properties, are below.
authorImageKhushboo Goyal1 Aug, 2025
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Odd Numbers

Odd Numbers:  Odd numbers play a key role in mathematics as they are integers that cannot be divided by two without a remainder. These numbers have special properties that set them apart from even numbers. They are important in various mathematical concepts and applications.

Learning about odd numbers helps build a strong foundation for understanding other mathematical ideas and solving problems. The unique patterns and characteristics of odd numbers are detailed below. For further learning, study notes on odd numbers are provided below.

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Odd Numbers Definition

Odd numbers are whole numbers that cannot be divided evenly by 2. When divided by 2, they leave a remainder of 1. Odd numbers are represented as 2n+1, where n is any integer.

Examples of odd numbers include 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. These numbers play an important role in mathematics and have special characteristics that set them apart from even numbers.

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Types of Odd Numbers

Odd numbers are integers that cannot be divided evenly by 2. When divided by 2, they leave a remainder of 1. Odd numbers can be further classified based on their properties. Two important types of odd numbers are Consecutive Odd Numbers and Composite Odd Numbers .

1. Consecutive Odd Numbers

Consecutive odd numbers are a series of odd numbers where each number is 2 units greater than the previous one. The difference between any two consecutive odd numbers is always 2.

Examples: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, ...

The general pattern of consecutive odd numbers can be written as:

  • First odd number: 2n+1
  • Second odd number: 2n+3
  • Third odd number: 2n+5
  • And so on...

Where n is a whole number.

Properties:

  • The sum of any two consecutive odd numbers is always an even number.
  • The sum of any set of consecutive odd numbers is divisible by the number of terms.

Example: For the first three consecutive odd numbers: 1, 3, and 5. The sum is 1+3+5=91 + 3 + 5 = 91+3+5=9, which is divisible by 3 (the number of terms).

2. Composite Odd Numbers

Composite odd numbers are odd numbers that are not prime. A composite number is a positive integer greater than 1 that has more than two divisors. In other words, it can be divided by numbers other than 1 and itself. Composite odd numbers are odd numbers that have divisors other than just 1 and themselves.

Examples: 9, 15, 21, 25, 27, 33, 35, ...

For example:

  • 9 is divisible by 3.
  • 15 is divisible by 3 and 5.
  • 21 is divisible by 3 and 7.

These numbers are not prime because they have divisors other than 1 and the number itself.

Properties:

  • All composite odd numbers are greater than 1.
  • A composite odd number is always the product of two or more odd numbers.
  • These numbers are not prime, but they are still odd.

Example: Consider the number 15. It is divisible by 1, 3, 5, and 15. Since it has more divisors than just 1 and 15, it is a composite odd number.

Odd Numbers Examples

Question: Find the sum of the smallest and largest 3-digit odd numbers. Prove that the sum is divisible by 2.

Answer:

The smallest 3-digit odd number is 101. The largest 3-digit odd number is 999. The sum is 101 + 999 = 1100. To prove that 1100 is divisible by 2, we must check if it is an even number. An even number can be evenly divided by 2.

Since 1100 ÷ 2 = 550, which is a whole number, we can conclude that 1100 is divisible by 2.

Also Check: Natural Numbers

Odd Numbers 1 to 100

Odd numbers are integers that are not divisible by 2. They always end with 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 in the ones place. Below is a table of odd numbers from 1 to 100.

Odd Numbers 1 to 100
Odd Numbers 1 to 50 Odd Numbers 50 to 100
1 51
3 53
5 55
7 57
9 59
11 61
13 63
15 65
17 67
19 69
21 71
23 73
25 75
27 77
29 79
31 81
33 83
35 85
37 87
39 89
41 91
43 93
45 95
47 97
49 99

Properties of Odd Numbers 

Odd numbers are numbers that cannot be evenly divided by 2. They always leave a remainder of 1 when divided by 2. Odd numbers have unique characteristics that set them apart from even numbers, and these properties are important for various areas of mathematics. Below are some key properties of odd numbers:

1. Divisibility : Odd numbers cannot be divided by 2 without leaving a remainder. This means that when you divide an odd number by 2, there will always be a remainder of 1.
  Example : 7 divided by 2 gives 3 with a remainder of 1, making 7 an odd number.
 2. Sum of Two Odd Numbers : The sum of two odd numbers is always even. This is because adding two odd numbers together results in a number that is divisible by 2.
  Example : 3 + 5 = 8 (even).
 3. Difference of Two Odd Numbers : When you subtract one odd number from another odd number, the result will always be even. This is because both odd numbers leave a remainder of 1 when divided by 2, and subtracting them cancels out the remainder.
  Example : 9 − 5 = 4, which is even.
 4. Product of Two Odd Numbers : The product of two odd numbers is always odd. This means that multiplying two odd numbers together will result in a number that is also odd.
  Example : 3 × 5 = 15, which is odd.
 5. Square of an Odd Number : The square of an odd number is always odd. This means if you multiply an odd number by itself, the result will always be odd.
  Example : 7 2 = 49, which is odd.
 6. Sum of an Odd and an Even Number : When you add an odd number and an even number together, the result is always odd. This is because adding an odd number (which leaves a remainder of 1 when divided by 2) to an even number (which is divisible by 2) will give a remainder of 1.
  Example : 5 + 4 = 9 , which is odd.
 7. Sequence of Odd Numbers : Odd numbers follow a regular pattern, starting from 1 and increasing by 2 each time. The sequence of odd numbers is 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and so on.

These properties of odd numbers are fundamental in understanding how numbers behave in arithmetic and other areas of mathematics. They help solve equations, recognize patterns, and perform calculations more efficiently.

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How to Identify Odd Numbers?

Odd numbers are whole numbers that cannot be evenly divided by 2. They always leave a remainder of 1 when divided by 2. Identifying odd numbers is simple once you understand their key characteristics. Here are some easy methods to recognize odd numbers:

1. Definition of Odd and Even Numbers

  • Odd Numbers : Odd numbers are integers that cannot be divided by 2 without leaving a remainder. They always leave a remainder of 1 when divided by 2.
  • Even Numbers : Even numbers are integers that can be evenly divided by 2, meaning they leave no remainder.

Example of Odd Numbers : 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, etc. Example of Even Numbers : 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, etc.

2. Mathematical Characterization

An odd number can be written as: n = 2k + 1

Where:

  • nnn is the odd number
  • kkk is any integer (positive, negative, or zero) This equation shows that any odd number is always 1 more than a multiple of 2.

3. Using the Last Digit

One of the easiest ways to identify an odd number is by looking at the last digit:

  • If the last digit of a number is 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9, then the number is odd.

Example :

  • 23 ends in 3, so it is odd.
  • 56 ends in 6, so it is even.

4. Divisibility Rule for 2

Odd numbers are not divisible by 2 without a remainder. To check if a number is odd, divide it by 2:

  • If the remainder is 1, the number is odd.

Example :

  • 15 ÷ 2 = 7 remainder 1 → 15 is odd.
  • 18 ÷ 2 = 9 remainder 0 → 18 is even.

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5. Using the Modulus Operation

Another way to check if a number is odd is using the modulus operator (%). If the result of a number modulo 2 equals 1, the number is odd.

Example :

  • 13 % 2 = 1 → Odd
  • 24 % 2 = 0 → Even

6. Common Odd Numbers

Odd numbers follow a pattern and include:

  • Positive Odd Numbers : 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, and so on.
  • Negative Odd Numbers : -1, -3, -5, -7, -9, -11, -13, -15, -17, -19, and so on.

7. Special Case of Zero

Zero is not an odd number. It is classified as an even number because it is divisible by 2 without a remainder (0 ÷ 2 = 0).

Identifying odd numbers is easy once you know their key characteristics. You can quickly determine whether a number is odd by checking the last digit, using the divisibility rule, or applying the modulus operation. Odd numbers are important in mathematics and everyday applications, making them a fundamental concept in number theory.

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Odd Numbers FAQs

Is 2 an odd number?

No, 2 is not an odd number. It is an even number because it can be divided by 2 without leaving a remainder.

What are odd numbers?

Odd numbers are numbers that cannot be divided by 2 evenly. When divided by 2, they leave a remainder of 1. Examples include 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.

Is 15 odd or even?

15 is an odd number because it cannot be divided by 2 without a remainder. When divided by 2, it leaves a remainder of 1.

Is 100 odd or even?

100 is an even number because it is divisible by 2 with no remainder. Even numbers are always divisible by 2.

What are the 8 types of numbers?

Natural numbers, Whole numbers, Integers, Rational numbers, Irrational numbers, Real numbers, Complex numbers, Prime numbers.
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