Class 8 – Mathematics
Chapter 5: Number Play
Section A: Very Short Answer Questions
1. Is 27 expressible as a sum of consecutive natural numbers? (Yes/No)
2. Write one way to express 15 as a sum of consecutive numbers.
3. State whether the number 32 is even or odd.
4. Is the number 0 even or odd?
5. Write the parity (even/odd) of the expression: 4k, where k is an integer.
6. How many different expressions can be formed using four numbers with ‘+’ and ‘–’ signs?
7. Is −14 an even number?
8. Write one example of an even number which is not a multiple of 4.
9. Write the remainder when 18 is divided by 4.
10. State whether the expression 6m + 8n is always even. (Yes/No)
Section B: Short Answer Questions
11. Express 9 as a sum of consecutive natural numbers in two different ways.
12. Can 10 be written as a sum of consecutive natural numbers? Explain.
13. Write all possible expressions formed by placing ‘+’ and ‘–’ signs between the numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7.
14. Find the parity of each result obtained in Question 13.
15. Explain why the expression 2a + 6b is always even.
16. Give two examples of numbers which are multiples of 4.
17. Write two even numbers whose sum is not a multiple of 4.
18. Check whether the expression x² + 4 is always even. Justify.
19. Find whether 672 − 348 is even or odd without solving completely.
20. Write any two algebraic expressions which always give even numbers.
21. Is the sum of two odd numbers always even? Explain with an example.
22. Write one number which can be written as a sum of consecutive numbers in more than one way.
23. Explain why 4 consecutive numbers with any combination of ‘+’ and ‘–’ always give the same parity.
24. Write the two types of even numbers based on divisibility by 4.
25. Find whether the expression 10p − 6q is always divisible by 2.
Section C: Long Answer Questions
26. (a) Express the following numbers as sums of consecutive natural numbers:
i) 21 ii) 28 iii) 36
(b) Which of the above numbers can be expressed in more than one way?
27. Take four consecutive numbers and form all eight expressions using ‘+’ and ‘–’ signs. (a) Write all
expressions. (b) Evaluate each. (c) Comment on the parity of the results.
28. Explain with reasoning why the expression a ± b ± c ± d always has the same parity.
29. Classify the following even numbers based on their remainder when divided by 4: 12, 14, 20, 22, 36, 38
Also explain the pattern you observe.
30. Without calculating fully, determine whether the following are even or odd. Justify your answers: (a)
809 + 214
(b) 5133543 − 479
(c) 119 × 303
31. Write five different algebraic expressions that always give even numbers. Explain why each expression
is always even.
32. ‘All odd numbers can be expressed as a sum of consecutive natural numbers.’ (a) Verify this statement
with three examples. (b) Is the statement true for all even numbers? Explain.
33. Can 0 be written as a sum of consecutive integers? Explain your answer with examples using negative
numbers.
Section D: Case Study / Reasoning Based Questions
34. Riya takes four consecutive numbers 6, 7, 8, and 9. (a) Form any two expressions using ‘+’ and ‘–’
signs. (b) Find their values. (c) Compare their parity. (d) State a conclusion.
35. A student claims that the sum of any two even numbers is always divisible by 4. (a) Check the claim
using examples. (b) State whether the claim is true or false. (c) Give a correct statement. (d) Justify your
answer.
36. Consider the expression 8x + 6y. (a) Factorise the expression. (b) State its parity. (c) Verify your answer
by taking x = 3, y = −2. (d) Explain why the result is always even.
37. Rahul observes that when four numbers are added and subtracted in different ways, the result is always
even. (a) Do you agree? (b) Explain using algebra. (c) Write one real-life example where parity helps in
quick checking. (d) State the importance of reasoning over calculation.
38. Look at the numbers: 18, 22, 26, 30. (a) Find their remainders when divided by 4. (b) Group them
accordingly. (c) Add any two numbers from the same group. (d) State your observation.