Grade 8Reading: grades 7-9ExponentsSquare rootsPythagorean theoremOrder of operationsTwo-step equations

The Canopy Kingdom Heist

The Golden Astrolabe has been stolen from the high Canopy Guild observatory! This ancient navigation instrument is the only tool that can guide our sky-boats safely through the upcoming storm. A mysterious Sky Bandit was spotted ziplining away from the scene. It is up to you to crack the clues, examine the evidence, and identify the thief before the weather turns dangerous.

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	Escape Method	Special Gadget	Observed Print	Hair Style	Foil Weapon
Ivy	Zipline Speed Dash	Flash Powder Blind	Right-Handed Glove	Spiky Neon Green Hair	Sneeze Powder Reaction
Zoe	Zipline Speed Dash	Flash Powder Blind	Right-Handed Glove	Bright Orange Ponytail	Bright Flashlight Glare
Nova	Glider Pack Flight	Night Vision Goggles	Right-Handed Glove	Curly Silver Buzzcut	Sneeze Powder Reaction
Finn	Glider Pack Flight	Flash Powder Blind	Right-Handed Glove	Spiky Neon Green Hair	Bright Flashlight Glare
Zack	Rope Bridge Acrobatics	Flash Powder Blind	Right-Handed Glove	Bright Orange Ponytail	Loud Whistle Startle
Ruby	Glider Pack Flight	Flash Powder Blind	Left-Handed Glove	Bright Orange Ponytail	Bright Flashlight Glare
Hugo	Zipline Speed Dash	Sonic Distraction Device	Left-Handed Glove	Bright Orange Ponytail	Bright Flashlight Glare
Chloe	Grappling Hook Swing	Smoke Bomb Decoy	Right-Handed Glove	Curly Silver Buzzcut	Bright Flashlight Glare
Skye	Grappling Hook Swing	Sonic Distraction Device	Right-Handed Glove	Spiky Neon Green Hair	Bright Flashlight Glare
Ryder	Grappling Hook Swing	Flash Powder Blind	Right-Handed Glove	Spiky Neon Green Hair	Bright Flashlight Glare
Sienna	Grappling Hook Swing	Sonic Distraction Device	Right-Handed Glove	Curly Silver Buzzcut	Sneeze Powder Reaction
Maya	Canopy Tree Climbing	Sonic Distraction Device	Right-Handed Glove	Bright Orange Ponytail	Loud Whistle Startle
Jasper	Canopy Tree Climbing	Night Vision Goggles	Left-Handed Glove	Bright Orange Ponytail	Bright Flashlight Glare
Leo	Glider Pack Flight	Smoke Bomb Decoy	Left-Handed Glove	Spiky Neon Green Hair	Sneeze Powder Reaction
Piper	Grappling Hook Swing	Night Vision Goggles	Right-Handed Glove	Spiky Neon Green Hair	Bright Flashlight Glare
Sadie	Zipline Speed Dash	Night Vision Goggles	Right-Handed Glove	Spiky Neon Green Hair	Bright Flashlight Glare
Clara	Rope Bridge Acrobatics	Sonic Distraction Device	Left-Handed Glove	Spiky Neon Green Hair	Loud Whistle Startle
Zane	Grappling Hook Swing	Decoy Whistle Call	Left-Handed Glove	Spiky Neon Green Hair	Sneeze Powder Reaction
Toby	Rope Bridge Acrobatics	Night Vision Goggles	Right-Handed Glove	Curly Silver Buzzcut	Loud Whistle Startle
Luna	Glider Pack Flight	Flash Powder Blind	Right-Handed Glove	Bright Orange Ponytail	Bright Flashlight Glare
Axel	Rope Bridge Acrobatics	Smoke Bomb Decoy	Left-Handed Glove	Spiky Neon Green Hair	Bright Flashlight Glare

Clue 1

Exponents

The Sky Bandit left an encrypted signal booster on the high platform. The signal strength multiplies exponentially for every meter of height. Let us evaluate the total power to decrypt the first suspect file.

Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.

196

225

100

729

289

225

441

225

128

225

196

225

125

441

225

125

225

3^2 =T

17^2 =G

2^3 =N

4^2 =O

3^4 =V

3^6 =R

15^2 =E

5^3 =C

6^2 =I

2^7 =U

14^2 =H

2^2 =S

10^2 =A

21^2 =D

0/14 letters found

Clue 2

Square roots

We found a square map grid sketched in the damp moss. The total area of the search grid is known, and we must find the root length of one side to pinpoint the bandit escape path.

Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.

sqrt(225) =R

sqrt(100) =D

sqrt(289) =C

sqrt(16) =L

sqrt(49) =E

sqrt(144) =G

sqrt(25) =O

sqrt(625) =A

sqrt(400) =T

sqrt(529) =N

sqrt(441) =H

sqrt(121) =P

sqrt(256) =I

0/13 letters found

Clue 3

Pythagorean theorem

The bandit zipped diagonally from a tall watchtower down to a tree platform. We know the height of the tower and the distance across the ground. Let us use the Pythagorean theorem to find the exact length of the zipline they used.

Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.

legs 12 and 16, hypotenuse =B

legs 20 and 21, hypotenuse =F

legs 3 and 4, hypotenuse =S

legs 10 and 24, hypotenuse =O

legs 7 and 24, hypotenuse =D

legs 18 and 24, hypotenuse =A

legs 40 and 75, hypotenuse =E

legs 12 and 35, hypotenuse =R

legs 5 and 12, hypotenuse =G

legs 18 and 80, hypotenuse =T

legs 9 and 12, hypotenuse =N

legs 15 and 36, hypotenuse =I

legs 30 and 40, hypotenuse =W

legs 24 and 32, hypotenuse =H

legs 24 and 45, hypotenuse =L

0/15 letters found

Clue 4

Order of operations

We recovered a coded notebook near the canopy bridge, but the lock requires a correct sequence. To open the notebook without wiping the data, we must carefully evaluate this numerical expression using the correct order of operations.

Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.

110

8 × 12 - 28 =N

8 × 12 - 7 =H

58 + 3 × 3 =B

68 + 8 × 3 =C

2 + 2 × 2 =A

10 × 7 - 1 =R

40 + 9 × 4 =G

24 + 5 × 4 =E

54 + 3 × 4 =S

16 + 3 × 5 =L

11 × 12 - 22 =O

8 × 3 - 13 =T

7 + 9 × 5 =D

70 + 7 × 4 =F

0/14 letters found

Clue 5

Two-step equations — the last clue

A local tree merchant recalls selling safety gear to a suspicious customer. The total bill included a flat platform tax plus a set price per heavy carabiner. Solve this two-step equation to determine exactly how many carabiners the suspect purchased.

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

2x + 3 = 25, x = ?

2x + 4 = 12, x = ?

4x + 2 = 14, x = ?

6x + 3 = 51, x = ?

4x + 9 = 17, x = ?

5x + 9 = 34, x = ?

6x + 5 = 47, x = ?

2x + 5 = 7, x = ?

6x + 8 = 44, x = ?

2x + 2 = 26, x = ?

6x + 9 = 69, x = ?

Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer

1.The villain swings through the air using a high-tech grappling hook, then deploys a sonic distraction device to cause panic.

2.The villain scales giant ancient redwoods using specialized climbing spikes, then blows a decoy whistle to confuse the scouts.

3.The villain swings through the air using a high-tech grappling hook, then throws flash powder to blind the guards.

4.The villain glides silently between branches using a glider pack, then throws flash powder to blind the guards.

5.The villain speeds down the main line with a custom zipline harness, then drops a thick smoke bomb to escape.

6.The villain speeds down the main line with a custom zipline harness, then blows a decoy whistle to confuse the scouts.

7.The villain flips across high-altitude rope bridges with ease, then deploys a sonic distraction device to cause panic.

8.The villain glides silently between branches using a glider pack, then drops a thick smoke bomb to escape.

9.The villain speeds down the main line with a custom zipline harness, then activates night vision goggles to navigate the dark.

10.The villain swings through the air using a high-tech grappling hook, then blows a decoy whistle to confuse the scouts.

11.The villain swings through the air using a high-tech grappling hook, then activates night vision goggles to navigate the dark.

12.The villain glides silently between branches using a glider pack, then blows a decoy whistle to confuse the scouts.

Solve it

Name the culprit

Choose the one suspect left standing.

Answer Key — The Canopy Kingdom Heist

Culprit: Sadie (Zipline Speed Dash · Night Vision Goggles · Right-Handed Glove · Spiky Neon Green Hair · Bright Flashlight Glare)

Clue 1 (Exponents): "THE TARGET DOES NOT USE THE SONIC DEVICE"
3^2 = 9 (T) · 17^2 = 289 (G) · 2^3 = 8 (N) · 4^2 = 16 (O) · 3^4 = 81 (V) · 3^6 = 729 (R) · 15^2 = 225 (E) · 5^3 = 125 (C) · 6^2 = 36 (I) · 2^7 = 128 (U) · 14^2 = 196 (H) · 2^2 = 4 (S) · 10^2 = 100 (A) · 21^2 = 441 (D)
Clue 2 (Square roots): "RIGHT HANDED PRINT DETECTED ON THE LEDGE"
sqrt(225) = 15 (R) · sqrt(100) = 10 (D) · sqrt(289) = 17 (C) · sqrt(16) = 4 (L) · sqrt(49) = 7 (E) · sqrt(144) = 12 (G) · sqrt(25) = 5 (O) · sqrt(625) = 25 (A) · sqrt(400) = 20 (T) · sqrt(529) = 23 (N) · sqrt(441) = 21 (H) · sqrt(121) = 11 (P) · sqrt(256) = 16 (I)
Clue 3 (Pythagorean theorem): "BRIGHT FLASHLIGHTS WILL BLIND THIS FOE"
legs 12 and 16, hypotenuse = 20 (B) · legs 20 and 21, hypotenuse = 29 (F) · legs 3 and 4, hypotenuse = 5 (S) · legs 10 and 24, hypotenuse = 26 (O) · legs 7 and 24, hypotenuse = 25 (D) · legs 18 and 24, hypotenuse = 30 (A) · legs 40 and 75, hypotenuse = 85 (E) · legs 12 and 35, hypotenuse = 37 (R) · legs 5 and 12, hypotenuse = 13 (G) · legs 18 and 80, hypotenuse = 82 (T) · legs 9 and 12, hypotenuse = 15 (N) · legs 15 and 36, hypotenuse = 39 (I) · legs 30 and 40, hypotenuse = 50 (W) · legs 24 and 32, hypotenuse = 40 (H) · legs 24 and 45, hypotenuse = 51 (L)
Clue 4 (Order of operations): "NEON GREEN STRANDS LEFT ON THE BRANCH"
8 × 12 - 28 = 68 (N) · 8 × 12 - 7 = 89 (H) · 58 + 3 × 3 = 67 (B) · 68 + 8 × 3 = 92 (C) · 2 + 2 × 2 = 6 (A) · 10 × 7 - 1 = 69 (R) · 40 + 9 × 4 = 76 (G) · 24 + 5 × 4 = 44 (E) · 54 + 3 × 4 = 66 (S) · 16 + 3 × 5 = 31 (L) · 11 × 12 - 22 = 110 (O) · 8 × 3 - 13 = 11 (T) · 7 + 9 × 5 = 52 (D) · 70 + 7 × 4 = 98 (F)
Clue 5 (Two-step equations): surviving statement (box 9) → Sadie
2x + 3 = 25, x = 11 · 2x + 4 = 12, x = 4 · 4x + 2 = 14, x = 3 · 6x + 3 = 51, x = 8 · 4x + 9 = 17, x = 2 · 5x + 9 = 34, x = 5 · 6x + 5 = 47, x = 7 · 2x + 5 = 7, x = 1 · 6x + 8 = 44, x = 6 · 2x + 2 = 26, x = 12 · 6x + 9 = 69, x = 10

About this mystery

Grade level: Grade 8 math
Math topics: Exponents, Square roots, Pythagorean theorem, Order of operations, Two-step equations
Reading level: grades 7-9
Theme: The Canopy Kingdom Heist — set in The Canopy Kingdom, an ancient network of treehouses and ziplines high in the jungle clouds
Format: Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
Solution: One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects

More free printable math mysteries

8th grade worksheets Exponents worksheets Order of operations worksheets Square roots worksheets Pythagorean theorem worksheets Two-step equations worksheets All worksheets →

The Case of the Missing Masterpiece Pencils

Grade 8

Mystery of the Whispering Canopy

Grade 8

The Whispering Jungle Mystery

Grade 8

The Silicon Spire Sabotage

Grade 8