🏀 BasketballGrade 6Reading: grades 5-6PercentagesExponentsOrder of operationsMultiplicationDivision
The Case of the Missing Championship Hoop
Just hours before the grand finals, someone stole the golden championship rim right off the backboard! The Arena security footage was corrupted by a mysterious signal. As the junior detective on the court, you must use your math skills to decode the clues and find out which player is the secret thief.
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 | Signature Move | Special Gear | Wristband Arm | Hair Style | Court Fear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Harden | lightning speed crossover | spring-loaded sneakers | wears left wristband | neon orange mohawk | loud referee whistles |
| Shai Gilgeous | gravity-defying slam dunk | turbo-boost wristband | wears left wristband | frosted silver tips | shiny polished floors |
| Joel Embiid | impossible fadeaway shot | spring-loaded sneakers | wears right wristband | buzzed blue waves | shiny polished floors |
| Kawhi Leonard | full-court buzzer beater | holographic decoy shoes | wears left wristband | neon orange mohawk | loud referee whistles |
| Domantas Sabonis | gravity-defying slam dunk | spring-loaded sneakers | wears left wristband | frosted silver tips | squeaky sneaker sounds |
| Stephen Curry | full-court buzzer beater | neon glow basketball | wears right wristband | buzzed blue waves | shiny polished floors |
| Kyrie Irving | full-court buzzer beater | magnetic grip gloves | wears right wristband | frosted silver tips | shiny polished floors |
| Luka Doncic | lightning speed crossover | turbo-boost wristband | wears right wristband | neon orange mohawk | squeaky sneaker sounds |
| Damian Lillard | impossible fadeaway shot | magnetic grip gloves | wears left wristband | frosted silver tips | shiny polished floors |
| Devin Booker | lightning speed crossover | neon glow basketball | wears left wristband | buzzed blue waves | squeaky sneaker sounds |
| Ja Morant | full-court buzzer beater | holographic decoy shoes | wears left wristband | buzzed blue waves | squeaky sneaker sounds |
| Jayson Tatum | impossible fadeaway shot | turbo-boost wristband | wears right wristband | buzzed blue waves | shiny polished floors |
| Nikola Jokic | gravity-defying slam dunk | spring-loaded sneakers | wears left wristband | buzzed blue waves | squeaky sneaker sounds |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | no-look mystery pass | magnetic grip gloves | wears left wristband | buzzed blue waves | loud referee whistles |
| Donovan Mitchell | full-court buzzer beater | turbo-boost wristband | wears right wristband | buzzed blue waves | squeaky sneaker sounds |
| Anthony Edwards | full-court buzzer beater | holographic decoy shoes | wears right wristband | buzzed blue waves | shiny polished floors |
| Anthony Davis | impossible fadeaway shot | neon glow basketball | wears left wristband | buzzed blue waves | squeaky sneaker sounds |
| Tyrese Haliburton | gravity-defying slam dunk | magnetic grip gloves | wears right wristband | buzzed blue waves | squeaky sneaker sounds |
| Paul George | gravity-defying slam dunk | magnetic grip gloves | wears right wristband | buzzed blue waves | shiny polished floors |
| Bam Adebayo | full-court buzzer beater | magnetic grip gloves | wears left wristband | buzzed blue waves | shiny polished floors |
| Kevin Durant | no-look mystery pass | holographic decoy shoes | wears left wristband | neon orange mohawk | loud referee whistles |
Clue 1
Percentages
The scoreboard is flickering and showing a strange free throw percentage. Figure out the total shots made to unlock the first clue.
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
31
40
30
43
15
30
21
12
12
41
30
37
21
41
T
31
24
37
30
40
41
32
41
17
3
38
10
40
15
5
37
40
41
30
37
5% of 620 =T
40% of 95 =A
5% of 340 =G
60% of 25 =I
5% of 820 =O
25% of 96 =U
40% of 25 =P
50% of 74 =S
5% of 860 =F
5% of 800 =H
25% of 20 =C
10% of 120 =D
75% of 40 =E
20% of 160 =L
20% of 105 =N
25% of 12 =R
0/16 letters found
Clue 2
Exponents
To reboot the court's main security monitors, we have to calculate the power surges, which grow by exponents.
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
49
100
400
128
32
128
324
400
169
T
49
100
16
9
16
64
16
121
9
361
121
T
49
100
400
343
216
25
100
T
49
243
343
216
128
T
49
7^2 =T
18^2 =P
11^2 =N
13^2 =C
2^5 =U
20^2 =E
3^5 =W
2^6 =B
7^3 =R
4^2 =A
6^3 =I
2^7 =S
19^2 =O
5^2 =G
10^2 =H
3^2 =D
0/16 letters found
Clue 3
Order of operations
The team playbook has a secret lock on it. Follow the strict order of operations to solve the equation and open the playbook.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
S
32
50
9
13
13
67
80
15
S
32
44
9
35
15
77
50
38
38
80
S
32
S
32
50
38
39
67
64
45
44
67
48
64
38
39
35
20 + 4 × 3 =S
10 × 6 - 15 =T
7 × 12 - 20 =D
3 × 11 - 18 =Y
11 × 4 - 6 =O
3 + 5 × 9 =M
56 + 3 × 8 =R
9 × 2 - 9 =I
1 + 2 × 6 =P
9 × 6 - 15 =W
35 + 8 × 4 =E
5 × 12 - 25 =N
8 × 12 - 19 =F
7 × 9 - 13 =L
7 × 10 - 26 =H
0/15 letters found
Clue 4
Multiplication facts (1-12)
The equipment manager has jerseys stacked in equal rows. Multiply the columns by the rows to get the total count and find the next lead.
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
96
16
20
28
B
96
20
36
36
28
80
40
27
90
48
30
27
22
22
144
72
64
64
28
80
27
64
64
40
28
88
77
100
12 × 8 =B
9 × 3 =A
4 × 12 =R
11 × 7 =Y
8 × 8 =T
10 × 10 =M
8 × 9 =O
12 × 12 =P
5 × 6 =W
2 × 8 =L
9 × 10 =I
2 × 11 =S
4 × 5 =U
8 × 5 =H
12 × 3 =Z
8 × 11 =G
7 × 4 =E
10 × 8 =D
0/18 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
We need to distribute the practice basketballs equally among all the team carts. Work out the division to find the final piece of evidence.
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
10 ÷ 1 = ?
80 ÷ 10 = ?
12 ÷ 6 = ?
60 ÷ 10 = ?
50 ÷ 10 = ?
63 ÷ 9 = ?
22 ÷ 2 = ?
132 ÷ 11 = ?
36 ÷ 4 = ?
32 ÷ 8 = ?
9 ÷ 9 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain fakes everyone out with a lightning speed crossover, then speeds away using a turbo-boost wristband.
2.The villain sinks a wild full-court buzzer beater, then lights up the arena with a neon glow basketball.
3.The villain scores with an impossible fadeaway shot, then leaps over the defense in spring-loaded sneakers.
4.The villain fakes everyone out with a lightning speed crossover, then leaps over the defense in spring-loaded sneakers.
5.The villain sinks a wild full-court buzzer beater, then leaps over the defense in spring-loaded sneakers.
6.The villain throws a sneaky no-look mystery pass, then lights up the arena with a neon glow basketball.
7.The villain fakes everyone out with a lightning speed crossover, then lights up the arena with a neon glow basketball.
8.The villain scores with an impossible fadeaway shot, then speeds away using a turbo-boost wristband.
9.The villain throws a sneaky no-look mystery pass, then speeds away using a turbo-boost wristband.
10.The villain unleashes a gravity-defying slam dunk, then catches the ball with magnetic grip gloves.
11.The villain sinks a wild full-court buzzer beater, then speeds away using a turbo-boost wristband.
12.The villain throws a sneaky no-look mystery pass, then catches the ball with magnetic grip gloves.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Case of the Missing Championship Hoop
Culprit: Joel Embiid (impossible fadeaway shot · spring-loaded sneakers · wears right wristband · buzzed blue waves · shiny polished floors)
- Clue 1 (Percentages): "THE FIEND DOES NOT USE HOLOGRAPHIC SHOES"5% of 620 = 31 (T) · 40% of 95 = 38 (A) · 5% of 340 = 17 (G) · 60% of 25 = 15 (I) · 5% of 820 = 41 (O) · 25% of 96 = 24 (U) · 40% of 25 = 10 (P) · 50% of 74 = 37 (S) · 5% of 860 = 43 (F) · 5% of 800 = 40 (H) · 25% of 20 = 5 (C) · 10% of 120 = 12 (D) · 75% of 40 = 30 (E) · 20% of 160 = 32 (L) · 20% of 105 = 21 (N) · 25% of 12 = 3 (R)
- Clue 2 (Exponents): "THE SUSPECT HAD A BAND ON THE RIGHT WRIST"7^2 = 49 (T) · 18^2 = 324 (P) · 11^2 = 121 (N) · 13^2 = 169 (C) · 2^5 = 32 (U) · 20^2 = 400 (E) · 3^5 = 243 (W) · 2^6 = 64 (B) · 7^3 = 343 (R) · 4^2 = 16 (A) · 6^3 = 216 (I) · 2^7 = 128 (S) · 19^2 = 361 (O) · 5^2 = 25 (G) · 10^2 = 100 (H) · 3^2 = 9 (D)
- Clue 3 (Order of operations): "SLIPPERY SHINY FLOORS SLOWED THEM DOWN"20 + 4 × 3 = 32 (S) · 10 × 6 - 15 = 45 (T) · 7 × 12 - 20 = 64 (D) · 3 × 11 - 18 = 15 (Y) · 11 × 4 - 6 = 38 (O) · 3 + 5 × 9 = 48 (M) · 56 + 3 × 8 = 80 (R) · 9 × 2 - 9 = 9 (I) · 1 + 2 × 6 = 13 (P) · 9 × 6 - 15 = 39 (W) · 35 + 8 × 4 = 67 (E) · 5 × 12 - 25 = 35 (N) · 8 × 12 - 19 = 77 (F) · 7 × 9 - 13 = 50 (L) · 7 × 10 - 26 = 44 (H)
- Clue 4 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "BLUE BUZZED HAIR WAS SPOTTED AT THE GYM"12 × 8 = 96 (B) · 9 × 3 = 27 (A) · 4 × 12 = 48 (R) · 11 × 7 = 77 (Y) · 8 × 8 = 64 (T) · 10 × 10 = 100 (M) · 8 × 9 = 72 (O) · 12 × 12 = 144 (P) · 5 × 6 = 30 (W) · 2 × 8 = 16 (L) · 9 × 10 = 90 (I) · 2 × 11 = 22 (S) · 4 × 5 = 20 (U) · 8 × 5 = 40 (H) · 12 × 3 = 36 (Z) · 8 × 11 = 88 (G) · 7 × 4 = 28 (E) · 10 × 8 = 80 (D)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 3) → Joel Embiid10 ÷ 1 = 10 · 80 ÷ 10 = 8 · 12 ÷ 6 = 2 · 60 ÷ 10 = 6 · 50 ÷ 10 = 5 · 63 ÷ 9 = 7 · 22 ÷ 2 = 11 · 132 ÷ 11 = 12 · 36 ÷ 4 = 9 · 32 ÷ 8 = 4 · 9 ÷ 9 = 1
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 6 math
- Math topics
- Percentages, Exponents, Order of operations, Multiplication, Division
- Reading level
- grades 5-6
- Theme
- The Case of the Missing Championship Hoop — set in The Slam Dunk Dome
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects