Grade 5Reading: grades 3-4MultiplicationWord problemsRoundingSubtractionDivision
Mystery of the Missing Wind-Key
A sneaky thief snuck onto the Great Airship Aurora and swiped the legendary Wind-Key! Chief Mechanic Barnaby needs our help to catch the runaway Sky Bandit before they fly off into the clouds.
Suspects
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
21 of 21 still in play
| Name | Pilot Gear | Escape Tool | Steering Hand | Hair Color | Fear of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nellie Bly | leather journal | climbing rope | right handed grip | bright red hair | loud whistles |
| Robinson Crusoe | map compass | zipline hook | left handed grip | bright red hair | sticky honey |
| Long John | brass compass | zipline hook | right handed grip | bright red hair | sticky honey |
| Wendy Darling | map compass | smoke bomb | right handed grip | spiky black hair | sticky honey |
| Roald Amundsen | brass compass | glider wings | right handed grip | spiky black hair | sticky honey |
| Bessie Coleman | brass compass | climbing rope | left handed grip | messy brown hair | bright flashlights |
| Matthew Henson | map compass | climbing rope | left handed grip | messy brown hair | sticky honey |
| Sacagawea | brass compass | climbing rope | left handed grip | messy brown hair | sticky honey |
| Marco Polo | brass compass | zipline hook | right handed grip | messy brown hair | sticky honey |
| Jacques Cousteau | map compass | smoke bomb | right handed grip | messy brown hair | bright flashlights |
| James Cook | aviator watch | glider wings | right handed grip | messy brown hair | sticky honey |
| Jim Hawkins | pocket spyglass | glider wings | left handed grip | messy brown hair | bright flashlights |
| Robin Hood | leather journal | smoke bomb | left handed grip | messy brown hair | sticky honey |
| Captain Hook | aviator watch | climbing rope | right handed grip | spiky black hair | bright flashlights |
| Peter Pan | pocket spyglass | glider wings | right handed grip | spiky black hair | loud whistles |
| Sallie Ride | pocket spyglass | smoke bomb | right handed grip | messy brown hair | bright flashlights |
| Orville Wright | pocket spyglass | smoke bomb | right handed grip | bright red hair | bright flashlights |
| Neil Armstrong | aviator watch | smoke bomb | left handed grip | messy brown hair | bright flashlights |
| Charles Lindbergh | aviator watch | smoke bomb | right handed grip | spiky black hair | loud whistles |
| Mae Jemison | aviator watch | parachute pack | left handed grip | messy brown hair | sticky honey |
| Daniel Boone | brass compass | glider wings | left handed grip | messy brown hair | sticky honey |
Clue 1
Multiplication facts (1-12)
The thief left footprints near the cargo crates. The crates are stacked in neat rows, and we can count them quickly to find where the clue is hidden.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
22
77
18
T
22
77
100
18
30
10
44
18
6
36
44
T
22
77
40
28
18
63
12
100
10
18
20
8
100
36
63
6
2 × 11 =T
10 × 2 =R
10 × 4 =A
6 × 2 =L
4 × 11 =O
1 × 8 =W
10 × 10 =I
10 × 3 =F
4 × 7 =V
7 × 9 =G
1 × 10 =D
7 × 11 =H
3 × 6 =E
2 × 3 =S
6 × 6 =N
0/15 letters found
Clue 2
Word problems
Our young explorer team found a spilled toolbag. If we solve this word puzzle about the lost tools, we can reveal the thief's escape path.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
L
74
65
33
118
100
41
84
D
65
D
G
R
I
P
There were 97 cloud badges. 23 were used up. How many cloud badges are left?L
There were 96 spyglasses. 31 were used up. How many spyglasses are left?E
There were 140 spyglasses. 22 were used up. How many spyglasses are left?T
Navigator lined up 10 rows of 10 propellers. How many propellers in all?H
There were 57 propellers. 16 were used up. How many propellers are left?A
There were 61 brass gears. 28 were used up. How many brass gears are left?F
There were 122 cloud badges. 38 were used up. How many cloud badges are left?N
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Rounding
The airship altimeter is damaged and only displays rounded numbers. Let us round the air pressure readings to unlock the cabin door.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
900
2000
1100
90
700
230
230
1100
90
30
700
T
900
5000
T
900
170
3000
3700
4300
1300
5000
50
1100
1100
T
900
2000
700
1300
1100
2900
Round 852 to the nearest hundredT
Round 3,117 to the nearest thousandC
Round 3,747 to the nearest hundredK
Round 32 to the nearest tenG
Round 1,312 to the nearest hundredN
Round 4,255 to the nearest hundredI
Round 2,054 to the nearest thousandH
Round 739 to the nearest hundredO
Round 1,097 to the nearest hundredE
Round 54 to the nearest tenW
Round 2,893 to the nearest hundredY
Round 88 to the nearest tenR
Round 233 to the nearest tenB
Round 170 to the nearest tenU
Round 5,375 to the nearest thousandS
0/15 letters found
Clue 4
Subtraction
The water supply tank is leaking. If we subtract the remaining gallons from the full tank, we can trace where the thief ran.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
B
3827
4818
4660
8045
6600
1559
4648
6157
4818
8045
4648
7687
7687
8045
6157
5592
6162
1443
2105
4818
4660
6923
6134
1559
6162
4717
4660
4717
4398
5592
6157
6134
5048 - 1221 =B
8289 - 3641 =A
11775 - 4088 =S
9922 - 1877 =W
4826 - 3267 =H
11131 - 4974 =I
5166 - 506 =O
7367 - 767 =N
7269 - 346 =M
10915 - 4753 =E
8285 - 3887 =K
5742 - 1025 =C
8908 - 3316 =P
2298 - 193 =F
8742 - 3924 =R
6700 - 566 =T
3648 - 2205 =D
0/17 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
We found a pile of golden gears to share equally among our search team. Splitting them up will point us to the thief's hideout.
First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!
Step 1 — solve these
22 ÷ 2 = ?
12 ÷ 2 = ?
4 ÷ 1 = ?
1 ÷ 1 = ?
12 ÷ 6 = ?
16 ÷ 2 = ?
63 ÷ 9 = ?
50 ÷ 5 = ?
96 ÷ 8 = ?
36 ÷ 12 = ?
36 ÷ 4 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain wrote coordinates in the leather journal, then soared off on the glider wings.
2.The villain plotted a route with the map compass, then slid down using the zipline hook.
3.The villain wrote coordinates in the leather journal, then slid down using the zipline hook.
4.The villain wrote coordinates in the leather journal, then tossed a blinding smoke bomb.
5.The villain plotted a route with the map compass, then scaled the mast with the climbing rope.
6.The villain checked the brass compass, then scaled the mast with the climbing rope.
7.The villain checked the brass compass, then tossed a blinding smoke bomb.
8.The villain scanned the clouds with the pocket spyglass, then scaled the mast with the climbing rope.
9.The villain wrote coordinates in the leather journal, then scaled the mast with the climbing rope.
10.The villain timed the escape on the aviator watch, then tossed a blinding smoke bomb.
11.The villain timed the escape on the aviator watch, then leaped with the parachute pack.
12.The villain scanned the clouds with the pocket spyglass, then soared off on the glider wings.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — Mystery of the Missing Wind-Key
Culprit: Matthew Henson (map compass · climbing rope · left handed grip · messy brown hair · sticky honey)
- Clue 1 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE THIEF DOES NOT HAVE GLIDER WINGS"2 × 11 = 22 (T) · 10 × 2 = 20 (R) · 10 × 4 = 40 (A) · 6 × 2 = 12 (L) · 4 × 11 = 44 (O) · 1 × 8 = 8 (W) · 10 × 10 = 100 (I) · 10 × 3 = 30 (F) · 4 × 7 = 28 (V) · 7 × 9 = 63 (G) · 1 × 10 = 10 (D) · 7 × 11 = 77 (H) · 3 × 6 = 18 (E) · 2 × 3 = 6 (S) · 6 × 6 = 36 (N)
- Clue 2 (Word problems): "LEFT HANDED GRIP"There were 97 cloud badges. 23 were used up. How many cloud badges are left? = 74 (L) · There were 96 spyglasses. 31 were used up. How many spyglasses are left? = 65 (E) · There were 140 spyglasses. 22 were used up. How many spyglasses are left? = 118 (T) · Navigator lined up 10 rows of 10 propellers. How many propellers in all? = 100 (H) · There were 57 propellers. 16 were used up. How many propellers are left? = 41 (A) · There were 61 brass gears. 28 were used up. How many brass gears are left? = 33 (F) · There were 122 cloud badges. 38 were used up. How many cloud badges are left? = 84 (N)
- Clue 3 (Rounding): "THE ROBBER GOT STUCK IN SWEET HONEY"Round 852 to the nearest hundred = 900 (T) · Round 3,117 to the nearest thousand = 3000 (C) · Round 3,747 to the nearest hundred = 3700 (K) · Round 32 to the nearest ten = 30 (G) · Round 1,312 to the nearest hundred = 1300 (N) · Round 4,255 to the nearest hundred = 4300 (I) · Round 2,054 to the nearest thousand = 2000 (H) · Round 739 to the nearest hundred = 700 (O) · Round 1,097 to the nearest hundred = 1100 (E) · Round 54 to the nearest ten = 50 (W) · Round 2,893 to the nearest hundred = 2900 (Y) · Round 88 to the nearest ten = 90 (R) · Round 233 to the nearest ten = 230 (B) · Round 170 to the nearest ten = 170 (U) · Round 5,375 to the nearest thousand = 5000 (S)
- Clue 4 (Subtraction): "BROWN HAIR WAS SWIPED FROM THE COCKPIT"5048 - 1221 = 3827 (B) · 8289 - 3641 = 4648 (A) · 11775 - 4088 = 7687 (S) · 9922 - 1877 = 8045 (W) · 4826 - 3267 = 1559 (H) · 11131 - 4974 = 6157 (I) · 5166 - 506 = 4660 (O) · 7367 - 767 = 6600 (N) · 7269 - 346 = 6923 (M) · 10915 - 4753 = 6162 (E) · 8285 - 3887 = 4398 (K) · 5742 - 1025 = 4717 (C) · 8908 - 3316 = 5592 (P) · 2298 - 193 = 2105 (F) · 8742 - 3924 = 4818 (R) · 6700 - 566 = 6134 (T) · 3648 - 2205 = 1443 (D)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 5) → Matthew Henson22 ÷ 2 = 11 · 12 ÷ 2 = 6 · 4 ÷ 1 = 4 · 1 ÷ 1 = 1 · 12 ÷ 6 = 2 · 16 ÷ 2 = 8 · 63 ÷ 9 = 7 · 50 ÷ 5 = 10 · 96 ÷ 8 = 12 · 36 ÷ 12 = 3 · 36 ÷ 4 = 9
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 5 math
- Math topics
- Multiplication, Word problems, Rounding, Subtraction, Division
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- Mystery of the Missing Wind-Key — set in floating docks of Nimbus Valley
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects