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🏆 Class 3 Olympiad · session 1 of 16 · 60 minutes · free

Fun start: patterns, odd one out and quick maths

Olympiad maths is puzzle maths, and puzzles are fun. Start with warm-up games, then meet the four kinds of olympiad thinking one at a time: spot the pattern, find the odd one out, add in your head the clever way, and think a word puzzle through. Easy to start, with a stretch question in every part.

🎯 Practice mode🖨 Print a worksheet

A complete lesson · 60 minutes

Teach it, see it, practise it, all on this page.

Open this page with your learner and work down it, or press Teach this lesson to go through it one step at a time on a big screen. Every section has something to do.

See the teacher's plan
  1. Warm-up3 min
  2. Warm-up games7 min
  3. Number patterns8 min
  4. Odd one out7 min
  5. Quick maths tricks7 min
  6. Word puzzles7 min
  7. Pattern detective5 min
  8. Odd-one-out showdown5 min
  9. Treasure map game6 min
  10. Quiz4 min
  11. Set the project1 min

By the end you can

  • Find the rule in a number pattern and say what comes next
  • Find the odd one out and explain why
  • Add quickly with tricks: +9, doubles and making 10s
  • Solve legs, ranking and money word puzzles by drawing them
  • Answer olympiad-style questions with four choices

Before you start

  • Adding and taking away numbers to 100
  • Knowing the 2, 5 and 10 times tables

Have ready

  • Paper and pencil
  • 10 to 20 small things to count (coins, buttons or beans)

Class 3 · ages 8 to 9 · IMO, NSTSE and school olympiads

Warm-up · think first

I am thinking of a number. I double it, then add 1, and I get 15. What is my number?

Show the answer

7. Work backwards: 15 take away 1 is 14, and half of 14 is 7. Check: 7 doubled is 14, and 14 + 1 = 15.

Teacher tip: Let them guess first. Then show working backwards: undo the last step first.

More warm-ups for every class →

🎮 Warm-up games · 7 quick games

Play with Polly the parrot

Seven quick games on Treasure Island. Play, say why, then show the answer. Use the 2-minute timer and the spin wheel to keep it lively.

  1. Polly hid some of her 12 gold coins under a splat! How many are hiding?
    Answer: 5 are hiding: 7 you can see and 5 under the splat make 12.
  2. How many shells are on the beach? Peek for 3 seconds, then guess!
    Answer: 27 shells.
  3. Which one doesn't belong: 9, 16, 25, 30? (9 · 16 · 25 · 30)
    Answer: 30 is the only one that is not a square number (3 × 3, 4 × 4, 5 × 5). But 9 is the only one-digit number and 16 is the only even one below 30. Any answer is right with a reason!
  4. Would you rather have 5 bags with 6 coins each, or 4 bags with 8 coins each? (5 bags of 6 coins · 4 bags of 8 coins)
    Answer: B: 4 bags of 8 is 32 coins, and 5 bags of 6 is only 30.
  5. When you add two odd numbers, the answer is even. (Always · Sometimes · Never)
    Answer: Always. 3 + 5 = 8, 7 + 9 = 16, 11 + 1 = 12. Each odd number has one left over, and the two left-overs make a pair.
  6. How many ways can you make 10 by adding two numbers from 0 to 10?
    Answer: 11 ways if order matters (0 + 10, 1 + 9, … 10 + 0), or 6 if 3 + 7 and 7 + 3 count as the same.
  7. What comes next: 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, …?
    Answer: 16. The jumps grow by 1 each time: +1, +2, +3, +4, then +5.

Part 1 of 4 · learn, see, practise

What comes next? Number patterns

A pattern follows a rule. To find it, look at the jump from each number to the next: the same jump each time means add (or take away) the same number.

If the jumps are not the same, look again: the numbers might double each time, or the jumps might grow by 1 each time.

Example 1

What comes next: 5, 8, 11, 14, …?

  1. The jumps are +3, +3, +3.
  2. 14 + 3 = 17.

Answer: 17

Example 2

What comes next: 1, 2, 4, 8, …?

  1. Each number is double the one before.
  2. Double 8 is 16.

Answer: 16

Example 3

What comes next: 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, …?

  1. The jumps are +1, +2, +3, +4: they grow by 1.
  2. The next jump is +5: 12 + 5 = 17.

Answer: 17

Frog hops

The frog hops one step at a time. Use the buttons to make it land on the right number.

  1. Hop in 3s: 3, 6, 9, … Land on the 4th number.
  2. Land on what comes next: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, …
  3. Hop back: 20, 18, 16, … Land on the next number.

Practise it

Start with the warm-up and go as far as you can. The stretch questions are meant to be hard.

Warm-up

Warm-up

Core

Core

Stretch 🔥

Stretch 🔥

Answers (for the teacher)
  1. 50
  2. 17
  3. 48
  4. 15
  5. 21
  6. 49

Part 2 of 4 · learn, see, practise

Odd one out

In an odd-one-out question, all the members but one share a rule. Find the rule that most of them share, then the one that breaks it.

Good rules to test: odd or even, which times table, the digits, and whether the number reads the same backwards.

Example 1

Which is the odd one out: 12, 18, 24, 27, 30?

  1. 12, 18, 24 and 30 are all in the 6 times table.
  2. 27 is not (it is in the 3 and 9 tables).

Answer: 27

Example 2

Which is the odd one out: square, triangle, circle, rectangle?

  1. A square, a triangle and a rectangle all have straight sides and corners.
  2. A circle has no corners at all.

Answer: Circle

Practise it

Start with the warm-up and go as far as you can. The stretch questions are meant to be hard.

Warm-up

Warm-up

Core

Core

Stretch 🔥

Stretch 🔥

Answers (for the teacher)
  1. 7
  2. 42
  3. 45
  4. 21
  5. 21
  6. 463

Part 3 of 4 · learn, see, practise

Quick maths tricks

Adding 9? Add 10, then take away 1. Adding 99? Add 100, then take away 1.

Doubles are easy to remember. Near doubles use them: 25 + 26 is double 25 and 1 more.

Make 10s first: in 7 + 8 + 3, add 7 + 3 = 10, then 8 more is 18.

Example 1

46 + 9

  1. 46 + 10 = 56.
  2. Take away 1: 55.

Answer: 55

Example 2

25 + 26

  1. Double 25 is 50.
  2. 26 is 1 more than 25, so the answer is 51.

Answer: 51

Example 3

6 + 7 + 4 + 3

  1. Pair the 10s: 6 + 4 = 10 and 7 + 3 = 10.
  2. 10 + 10 = 20.

Answer: 20

Practise it

Start with the warm-up and go as far as you can. The stretch questions are meant to be hard.

Warm-up

Warm-up

Core

Core

Stretch 🔥

Stretch 🔥

Answers (for the teacher)
  1. 47
  2. 70
  3. 30
  4. 198
  5. 55
  6. 900

Part 4 of 4 · learn, see, practise

Think-it-through word puzzles

Read the puzzle twice. Then draw it: a row of children, legs on animals, coins in bags.

In a row, a child who is 4th from the front and 4th from the back is counted twice, so the total is 4 + 4 − 1.

Example 1

A farm has 3 hens and 2 goats. How many legs are there?

  1. Hens have 2 legs: 3 × 2 = 6.
  2. Goats have 4 legs: 2 × 4 = 8.
  3. 6 + 8 = 14.

Answer: 14

Example 2

Riya is 4th from the front and 4th from the back of a line. How many children are in the line?

  1. Draw 3 children, Riya, then 3 children.
  2. 3 + 1 + 3 = 7 (or 4 + 4 − 1).

Answer: 7

Practise it

Start with the warm-up and go as far as you can. The stretch questions are meant to be hard.

Warm-up

Warm-up

Core

Core

Stretch 🔥

Stretch 🔥

Answers (for the teacher)
  1. 24
  2. 18
  3. 8
  4. 14
  5. 3
  6. 8

Watch out

Common mistakes

Checking only the first jump

In 1, 2, 4, 8 the first jump is +1, but the rule is doubling. Check every jump before you decide.

Stopping at the first odd one out

Test your rule on every number. If two numbers break it, you need a different rule.

Counting a child twice

4th from the front and 4th from the back is 4 + 4 − 1, because the same child is in both counts.

Pieces and cuts

5 pieces need only 4 cuts. Draw the log to see it.

Class activity 1 of 3

Pattern detective

Polly found six secret number codes on the treasure map. Find what comes next in each.

  1. Write the jumps between the numbers.
  2. If the jumps are the same, keep going. If not, test doubling or growing jumps.
  3. Check your rule on every number.

Answers (for the teacher)
  1. 25
  2. 60
  3. 25
  4. 32
  5. 13
  6. 35

Class activity 2 of 3

Odd-one-out showdown

Play in two teams. Each team finds the odd one out, then the other team must say the reason. A right answer with a reason scores 2 points!

  1. Test even or odd first.
  2. Then test the times tables and the digits.
  3. Say your reason out loud before you check.

Answers (for the teacher)
  1. 40
  2. 112
  3. 9
  4. 50
  5. 44

Class activity 3 of 3

Treasure map game

Follow the treasure clues one by one. Each right answer moves you one step closer to the chest!

  1. Read the clue twice.
  2. Draw it or use your counters.
  3. Check your answer before you move on.

Answers (for the teacher)
  1. 19
  2. 14
  3. 13
  4. 8
  5. 5

After class · project

My treasure puzzle book

Make a tiny puzzle book with one puzzle of each kind you met today, for someone at home to solve. Put the answers on the last page.

What to make: A four-page puzzle book (fold one A4 sheet) with four puzzles and an answer page.

Stretch: Add a fifth puzzle: a pattern where the jumps grow (like 1, 2, 4, 7, 11).

How it is marked

Look forDone well when
Four kindsA pattern, an odd one out, a quick-maths sum and a word puzzle
CorrectEvery answer on the answer page is right
ReasonsEach answer says why or shows the trick
FunA cover and pictures make someone want to try it

Project template

Copy it onto paper or print the practice sheet.

Cover: My Treasure Puzzle Book, by ______________
Puzzle 1 (pattern): ___, ___, ___, ___, ?        Answer: ______
Puzzle 2 (odd one out): ___, ___, ___, ___, ___  Answer: ______  Why: __________
Puzzle 3 (quick maths): ______________________   Answer: ______  Trick: ________
Puzzle 4 (word puzzle): _______________________________________________
                                                  Answer: ______
Answer page: write how to solve each puzzle

Homework

Practise at home

Try each on paper, then tap to see the answer and working. Or print the practice sheet.

  1. What comes next: 6, 12, 18, 24, …?

    30 (add 6 each time)

  2. Odd one out: 10, 20, 25, 30, 40

    25 (the only odd number; the others are in the 10 times table)

  3. 65 + 9

    74 (add 10 to get 75, then take away 1)

  4. There are 4 ducks and 3 dogs. How many legs are there?

    20 (4 × 2 = 8 and 3 × 4 = 12)

  5. What comes next: 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, …?

    17 (the jumps grow by 1: +1, +2, +3, +4, then +5)

  6. Rohan's name is 7th from the top and 4th from the bottom of a list. How many names are on the list?

    10 (7 + 4 − 1: Rohan is counted twice)

🔥 Challenge round · finished early?

The hardest questions of the lesson, no notes

Cover the notes and try these from memory. They are meant to make you think hard: draw, try small cases, and check your answer.

Stretch 🔥

Stretch 🔥

Stretch 🔥

Stretch 🔥

Stretch 🔥

Stretch 🔥

Stretch 🔥

Stretch 🔥

Answers (for the teacher)
  1. 21
  2. 49
  3. 21
  4. 463
  5. 55
  6. 900
  7. 3
  8. 8

🧠 Think-hard question

Put + signs between some of the digits 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (in this order) to make 99. You may join digits, like 12 or 34. Can you find more than one way?

Talk it through or use the drawing board. There is more than one way to get there.

🎯 Practice mode: one question at a time🧩 Brain warm-ups🎮 Maths and logic games

Quiz · 10 questions

Final quiz: check what you learned

Pick an answer to see if it is right and why. Your best score is saved on this device.

1What comes next: 4, 8, 12, 16, …?
Show the answer

20. The rule is +4: 16 + 4 = 20.

2Which is the odd one out?
Show the answer

40. 14, 21 and 35 are in the 7 times table. 40 is not.

347 + 9 = ?
Show the answer

56. 47 + 10 = 57, then take away 1.

4What is double 45?
Show the answer

90. Double 40 is 80 and double 5 is 10: 90.

5Find the missing number: 30, 26, 22, ?, 14
Show the answer

18. The rule is −4: 22 − 4 = 18, and 18 − 4 = 14.

6A house has 3 cats and 2 parrots. How many legs do they have altogether?
Show the answer

16. 3 × 4 = 12 and 2 × 2 = 4: 16.

7Neha is 5th from the front and 5th from the back of a queue. How many people are in the queue?
Show the answer

9. 5 + 5 − 1 = 9: Neha is counted in both.

8What comes next: 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, …?
Show the answer

16. The jumps are +1, +2, +3, +4, so next is +5.

9Which number is in both the 3 times table and the 4 times table?
Show the answer

24. 24 = 3 × 8 = 4 × 6. The others are in only one of the tables.

10A ribbon is cut into 4 pieces. How many cuts were made?
Show the answer

3. Each cut adds one piece: 1 piece needs 0 cuts, so 4 pieces need 3.

🖨 Print what we learned

Make a worksheet from this lesson

Pick what to practise, then print it or choose Save as PDF in the print window to download it.

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For parents and teachers

The 60-minute lesson plan

Use it as it is, or stretch any part over two sessions. Each row links to the part of the page you need.

TimePartThe teacherThe learner
0–3 minWarm-upAsk the think-of-a-number question; show working backwards.Guess, then check.
3–10 minWarm-up gamesPlay four or five games. Use the timer and the spin wheel.Play and say why.
10–18 minNumber patternsShow the examples, then the frog hops on screen.Practise up to the stretch.
18–25 minOdd one outAsk for a reason with every answer.Practise; try the palindromes.
25–32 minQuick maths tricksSay each trick out loud together.Practise; race the stretch.
32–39 minWord puzzlesDraw every puzzle on the drawing board.Practise with counters.
39–44 minPattern detectiveLet them work alone; hint after a wrong check.Crack the six codes.
44–49 minOdd-one-out showdownPlay in two teams, 2 points for a reason.Find it and say why.
49–55 minTreasure map gameSet the last clues as homework if time is short.Reach the treasure.
55–59 minQuizRun it like the olympiad: four choices, no calculator.Answer and read why.
59–60 minSet the projectShow the puzzle book template and agree a due date.Plan the book.

Questions to ask

  • How do you find the rule of a pattern?
  • Why must you test the odd-one-out rule on every number?
  • Why is it 4 + 4 − 1 and not 4 + 4?

If it feels hard

Use counters for the word puzzles and the frog number line for every pattern. Do levels 1 and 2 together and keep level 3 for homework.

If it feels easy

Put + signs between some of the digits 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (in this order) to make 99. You may join digits, like 12 or 34. Can you find more than one way?

FAQ

Fun start: patterns, odd one out and quick maths: questions

What is in the Class 3 Maths Olympiad?

Olympiads like the IMO have logical reasoning (patterns, odd one out, shapes), mathematical reasoning (numbers and operations), everyday maths (money, time, measures) and an achievers section with harder questions. This first class practises one idea from each.

Is this lesson good for a complete beginner?

Yes. It starts with games and easy warm-up questions, and every part has easy, core and stretch questions, so a child can begin at their own level.

How much practice does a Class 3 child need for the olympiad?

Little and often works best: one class a week and 10 to 15 minutes of puzzles on other days. The homework and printable sheet in every lesson are made for that.

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