Analogy & Classification • Topic 4 of 4

Classification (Odd One Out)

In classification, four items share a property and one does not — find the misfit. Form the most specific property that covers four items; the fifth is your answer. Beware near-misses where two options seem odd.

Find the property four share

Don't look for "the odd one" directly — instead find the property that four items have in common, and the one lacking it is the answer.

SetShared propertyOdd one
3, 5, 7, 9, 11prime numbers9 (= 3×3)
4, 9, 16, 20, 25perfect squares20
Rose, Lotus, Lily, MangoflowersMango (a fruit)
Use the most specific property. If two answers seem possible, pick the one that breaks the strongest shared rule. And remember 1 and 9 are not prime — a classic trap in prime-classification sets.

✅ Solved examples

1. Find the odd one: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11.
All are prime except 9 (=3×3). Odd one: 9.
2. Odd one: 4, 9, 16, 20, 25.
All perfect squares except 20. Odd one: 20.
3. Odd one: Rose, Lotus, Lily, Mango, Jasmine.
All flowers except Mango (a fruit). Odd one: Mango.
4. Odd one: 8, 27, 64, 100, 125.
All perfect cubes except 100. Odd one: 100.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. Odd: 8, 27, 64, 100, 125.
Cubes?
100 is not a cube.
—
100
2. Odd: 2, 3, 5, 7, 8.
Primes.
8 is composite.
—
8
3. Odd: Apple, Banana, Carrot, Mango.
Fruits vs vegetable.
—
—
Carrot
4. Odd: 11, 13, 15, 17.
Primes.
15 = 3×5.
—
15
5. Odd: 16, 25, 36, 40, 49.
Squares.
40 is not.
—
40

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

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