🏀 BasketballGrade 6Reading: grades 5-6MultiplicationAdditionSubtractionFractions of a numberDivision
The Case of the Missing Championship Trophy
The MVP trophy has vanished right before the championship game at the Hoop Arena! A mysterious player snuck onto the court and took it. It is up to you to crack the case, solve the basketball math puzzles, and find the culprit.
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 | Lucky Gear | Shooting Hand | Headband Style | Defensive Kryptonite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | Ankle-Breaking Crossover | Sleeve with Fire Graphics | Left-Handed Shooter | Thick Terrycloth Headband | Slippery Wet Spot on Court |
| Jimmy Butler | Gravity-Defying Windmill Dunk | Gold Medal Necklace | Right-Handed Shooter | No Headband at All | Double-Team Press |
| Jayson Tatum | Half-Court Buzzer Beater | Super-Grip Wristband | Left-Handed Shooter | Thick Terrycloth Headband | Loud Squeaking Sneaker Noise |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | No-Look Behind-the-Back Pass | Squeaky Neon Sneakers | Right-Handed Shooter | No Headband at All | Slippery Wet Spot on Court |
| Devin Booker | Half-Court Buzzer Beater | Super-Grip Wristband | Left-Handed Shooter | Thin Elastic Hair Tie | Loud Squeaking Sneaker Noise |
| DeAnthony Fox | Gravity-Defying Windmill Dunk | Sleeve with Fire Graphics | Left-Handed Shooter | No Headband at All | Slippery Wet Spot on Court |
| Paul George | Half-Court Buzzer Beater | Striped Crew Socks | Right-Handed Shooter | Thick Terrycloth Headband | Loud Squeaking Sneaker Noise |
| Kyrie Irving | Half-Court Buzzer Beater | Gold Medal Necklace | Left-Handed Shooter | Thick Terrycloth Headband | Slippery Wet Spot on Court |
| Chris Paul | Lightning-Fast Fastbreak | Squeaky Neon Sneakers | Left-Handed Shooter | No Headband at All | Slippery Wet Spot on Court |
| Anthony Davis | Gravity-Defying Windmill Dunk | Super-Grip Wristband | Right-Handed Shooter | Thick Terrycloth Headband | Slippery Wet Spot on Court |
| Tyrese Haliburton | Gravity-Defying Windmill Dunk | Super-Grip Wristband | Left-Handed Shooter | No Headband at All | Slippery Wet Spot on Court |
| Donovan Mitchell | Lightning-Fast Fastbreak | Sleeve with Fire Graphics | Left-Handed Shooter | Thin Elastic Hair Tie | Double-Team Press |
| Luka Doncic | Lightning-Fast Fastbreak | Striped Crew Socks | Left-Handed Shooter | No Headband at All | Loud Squeaking Sneaker Noise |
| Jalen Brunson | No-Look Behind-the-Back Pass | Super-Grip Wristband | Right-Handed Shooter | Thick Terrycloth Headband | Slippery Wet Spot on Court |
| Nikola Jokic | Half-Court Buzzer Beater | Super-Grip Wristband | Right-Handed Shooter | Thin Elastic Hair Tie | Slippery Wet Spot on Court |
| Bam Adebayo | Gravity-Defying Windmill Dunk | Gold Medal Necklace | Left-Handed Shooter | No Headband at All | Loud Squeaking Sneaker Noise |
| Kevin Durant | Lightning-Fast Fastbreak | Gold Medal Necklace | Left-Handed Shooter | No Headband at All | Slippery Wet Spot on Court |
| Damian Lillard | No-Look Behind-the-Back Pass | Squeaky Neon Sneakers | Left-Handed Shooter | No Headband at All | Double-Team Press |
| Steph Curry | Half-Court Buzzer Beater | Striped Crew Socks | Left-Handed Shooter | No Headband at All | Slippery Wet Spot on Court |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | No-Look Behind-the-Back Pass | Sleeve with Fire Graphics | Right-Handed Shooter | Thick Terrycloth Headband | Double-Team Press |
| Ja Morant | Ankle-Breaking Crossover | Gold Medal Necklace | Right-Handed Shooter | Thick Terrycloth Headband | Loud Squeaking Sneaker Noise |
Clue 1
Multiplication facts (1-12)
We checked the equipment room storage. Coach locked the brand new game balls in rows, and we need to multiply the boxes to find if any are missing.
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
54
132
40
24
27
40
10
7
100
T
54
132
60
40
14
55
12
40
24
27
12
T
54
9
40
10
70
10
14
60
70
40
24
15
40
40
108
40
6 × 9 =T
7 × 10 =R
1 × 9 =W
12 × 9 =V
12 × 11 =H
10 × 6 =I
11 × 5 =D
9 × 3 =N
10 × 10 =Y
7 × 1 =K
2 × 5 =A
10 × 4 =E
4 × 3 =O
3 × 5 =L
2 × 7 =F
12 × 2 =S
0/16 letters found
Clue 2
Addition
The gym teacher recorded the points from three different practice courts. Adding them all up will reveal the total points scored before the theft.
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
4702
8441
6086
5066
4012
7400
7400
9035
4012
3936
4012
8432
9035
7400
6086
5807
T
4702
8441
9035
3936
9882
6086
9882
8432
8441
7785
7785
T
4702
6086
9067
1696 + 3006 =T
2589 + 5196 =O
5593 + 4289 =D
1206 + 2730 =N
2928 + 6139 =R
3500 + 1566 =V
1889 + 2123 =I
5860 + 2581 =H
2590 + 4810 =L
3091 + 2716 =F
3283 + 2803 =E
4737 + 3695 =S
3141 + 5894 =A
0/13 letters found
Clue 3
Subtraction
The scoreboard got damaged during the heist. Subtracting the elapsed time from the total quarter length gives us the exact second the lights went out.
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
6984
6191
3753
T
6984
6191
6213
3753
3649
5257
8607
6213
2628
5257
4147
1862
4223
7339
3753
T
6984
2628
4223
T
6984
3507
6191
4147
3649
3507
4147
5630
2676
T
6984
7154 - 170 =T
5654 - 2005 =F
8177 - 1986 =H
4185 - 678 =C
6425 - 212 =I
7013 - 1383 =U
11491 - 4152 =W
6744 - 1487 =S
8097 - 3950 =O
4470 - 1794 =R
10011 - 1404 =L
3287 - 1425 =N
4078 - 325 =E
7280 - 4652 =P
6229 - 2006 =A
0/15 letters found
Clue 4
Fractions of a number
Only a fraction of the team jerseys were washed. Calculating this fraction of the total pile helps us figure out how many clean jerseys the thief bypassed.
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
34
39
13
3
38
12
12
19
38
32
11
5
13
28
32
5
T
34
31
13
19
40
19
32
27
39
13
19
11
2
19
32
11
2/6 of 102 =T
3/10 of 90 =Y
1/4 of 152 =I
1/2 of 10 =O
4/8 of 64 =N
5/10 of 78 =H
1/8 of 104 =E
8/10 of 35 =S
1/8 of 88 =D
1/10 of 30 =V
3/5 of 20 =L
4/8 of 38 =A
1/6 of 186 =W
4/6 of 3 =B
1/2 of 80 =R
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
The tournament director needs to split the remaining sports drinks equally among the visiting teams. Dividing them fairly gives us our final clue.
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
88 ÷ 11 = ?
30 ÷ 5 = ?
48 ÷ 4 = ?
16 ÷ 8 = ?
81 ÷ 9 = ?
132 ÷ 12 = ?
8 ÷ 2 = ?
50 ÷ 10 = ?
100 ÷ 10 = ?
12 ÷ 4 = ?
77 ÷ 11 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain leads a lightning-fast fastbreak, then flashes a heavy gold medal necklace.
2.The villain sinks a thrilling half-court buzzer beater, then flashes a heavy gold medal necklace.
3.The villain tosses a brilliant no-look pass, then squeaks away in neon sneakers.
4.The villain leads a lightning-fast fastbreak, then swipes a super-grip wristband.
5.The villain throws down a gravity-defying windmill dunk, then flashes a heavy gold medal necklace.
6.The villain sinks a thrilling half-court buzzer beater, then pulls up striped crew socks.
7.The villain executes an ankle-breaking crossover, then pulls up striped crew socks.
8.The villain throws down a gravity-defying windmill dunk, then swipes a super-grip wristband.
9.The villain tosses a brilliant no-look pass, then flashes a heavy gold medal necklace.
10.The villain tosses a brilliant no-look pass, then adjusts a cool sleeve with fire graphics.
11.The villain leads a lightning-fast fastbreak, then pulls up striped crew socks.
12.The villain leads a lightning-fast fastbreak, then squeaks away in neon sneakers.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Case of the Missing Championship Trophy
Culprit: Kevin Durant (Lightning-Fast Fastbreak · Gold Medal Necklace · Left-Handed Shooter · No Headband at All · Slippery Wet Spot on Court)
- Clue 1 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE SNEAKY THIEF DOES NOT WEAR A FIRE SLEEVE"6 × 9 = 54 (T) · 7 × 10 = 70 (R) · 1 × 9 = 9 (W) · 12 × 9 = 108 (V) · 12 × 11 = 132 (H) · 10 × 6 = 60 (I) · 11 × 5 = 55 (D) · 9 × 3 = 27 (N) · 10 × 10 = 100 (Y) · 7 × 1 = 7 (K) · 2 × 5 = 10 (A) · 10 × 4 = 40 (E) · 4 × 3 = 12 (O) · 3 × 5 = 15 (L) · 2 × 7 = 14 (F) · 12 × 2 = 24 (S)
- Clue 2 (Addition): "THE VILLAIN IS A LEFT HANDED SHOOTER"1696 + 3006 = 4702 (T) · 2589 + 5196 = 7785 (O) · 5593 + 4289 = 9882 (D) · 1206 + 2730 = 3936 (N) · 2928 + 6139 = 9067 (R) · 3500 + 1566 = 5066 (V) · 1889 + 2123 = 4012 (I) · 5860 + 2581 = 8441 (H) · 2590 + 4810 = 7400 (L) · 3091 + 2716 = 5807 (F) · 3283 + 2803 = 6086 (E) · 4737 + 3695 = 8432 (S) · 3141 + 5894 = 9035 (A)
- Clue 3 (Subtraction): "THE THIEF SLIPS ON A WET PATCH OF COURT"7154 - 170 = 6984 (T) · 5654 - 2005 = 3649 (F) · 8177 - 1986 = 6191 (H) · 4185 - 678 = 3507 (C) · 6425 - 212 = 6213 (I) · 7013 - 1383 = 5630 (U) · 11491 - 4152 = 7339 (W) · 6744 - 1487 = 5257 (S) · 8097 - 3950 = 4147 (O) · 4470 - 1794 = 2676 (R) · 10011 - 1404 = 8607 (L) · 3287 - 1425 = 1862 (N) · 4078 - 325 = 3753 (E) · 7280 - 4652 = 2628 (P) · 6229 - 2006 = 4223 (A)
- Clue 4 (Fractions of a number): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT WEAR ANY HEADBAND"2/6 of 102 = 34 (T) · 3/10 of 90 = 27 (Y) · 1/4 of 152 = 38 (I) · 1/2 of 10 = 5 (O) · 4/8 of 64 = 32 (N) · 5/10 of 78 = 39 (H) · 1/8 of 104 = 13 (E) · 8/10 of 35 = 28 (S) · 1/8 of 88 = 11 (D) · 1/10 of 30 = 3 (V) · 3/5 of 20 = 12 (L) · 4/8 of 38 = 19 (A) · 1/6 of 186 = 31 (W) · 4/6 of 3 = 2 (B) · 1/2 of 80 = 40 (R)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 1) → Kevin Durant88 ÷ 11 = 8 · 30 ÷ 5 = 6 · 48 ÷ 4 = 12 · 16 ÷ 8 = 2 · 81 ÷ 9 = 9 · 132 ÷ 12 = 11 · 8 ÷ 2 = 4 · 50 ÷ 10 = 5 · 100 ÷ 10 = 10 · 12 ÷ 4 = 3 · 77 ÷ 11 = 7
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 6 math
- Math topics
- Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction, Fractions of a number, Division
- Reading level
- grades 5-6
- Theme
- The Case of the Missing Championship Trophy — set in Hoop Arena
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects