Grade
4

Which One Doesn’t Belong? Beach Towels

Look at this set of four pairs of beach towels. Decide which pair doesn’t belong with the other three. Use math words to describe your thinking. There are many ways to think about each one!

A: The towel on the left has 3 equal parts. The middle part is orange. The towel on the right has 3 equal parts. The top and bottom parts are orange. B: The towel on the left has 12 equal triangles. 6 triangles are orange. The towel on the right has 12 equal stripes (long, thin rectangles). 6 stripes are orange. C: The towel on the left has orange for the upper left fourth. The towel on the right has orange for the upper right fourth. D: The towel on the left has 8 equal triangles. 4 triangles are orange. The towel on the right has 2 equal triangles. 1 triangle is orange.

Challenge

Find reasons why each of the pairs of beach towels might not belong with the other three.

Share

Explain your thinking to someone else. Do they have different reasons why one doesn't belong?

Printable Version

Google doc for printing and copying

Reference for Educators

Sample problems and solutions