🏴☠️ PiratesGrade 8Reading: grades 3-4ExponentsWord problemsSquare rootsPythagorean theoremTwo-step equations
The Case of the Missing Golden Anchor
Someone stole the Golden Anchor from the Captain cabin! We must search Scurvy Cove and crack the codes to catch the sneaky sailor before they sail away with the treasure. Use your math skills to find the pirate 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 | Primary Pirate Skill | Secondary Pirate Skill | Hook Placement | Beard or Hair Color | Secret Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Pew | map decoding | rope swinging | right hand hook | black beard | scared of frogs |
| Cannonball Kate | ship steering | loud shouting | left hand hook | braided gray | afraid of parrots |
| Blackbeard | sword dueling | loud shouting | left hand hook | braided gray | ticklish wooden leg |
| Scurvy Sam | ship steering | loud shouting | left hand hook | black beard | scared of frogs |
| Goldie Grog | map decoding | coin counting | right hand hook | braided gray | scared of frogs |
| Barnaby Red | map decoding | rope swinging | left hand hook | braided gray | scared of frogs |
| Jolly Roger | sword dueling | rope swinging | right hand hook | braided gray | ticklish wooden leg |
| Salty Sue | ship steering | coin counting | left hand hook | braided gray | afraid of parrots |
| Sharky McSnarl | cannon blasting | loud shouting | left hand hook | red bandana | afraid of parrots |
| Long John | map decoding | rope swinging | right hand hook | braided gray | ticklish wooden leg |
| Captain Flint | kraken calling | treasure sniffing | right hand hook | braided gray | ticklish wooden leg |
| Grace OMalley | kraken calling | coin counting | left hand hook | black beard | ticklish wooden leg |
| Black Bart | sword dueling | quick climbing | right hand hook | black beard | ticklish wooden leg |
| Barrel Buster | ship steering | loud shouting | right hand hook | black beard | scared of frogs |
| Mary Read | ship steering | coin counting | right hand hook | braided gray | ticklish wooden leg |
| Pegleg Pete | kraken calling | quick climbing | right hand hook | red bandana | afraid of parrots |
| Henry Morgan | cannon blasting | rope swinging | right hand hook | braided gray | ticklish wooden leg |
| Billy Bones | map decoding | treasure sniffing | left hand hook | braided gray | scared of frogs |
| Anne Bonny | ship steering | quick climbing | right hand hook | red bandana | afraid of parrots |
| Captain Kidd | map decoding | loud shouting | right hand hook | braided gray | scared of frogs |
| Silver Tooth | sword dueling | rope swinging | left hand hook | braided gray | ticklish wooden leg |
Clue 1
Exponents
We need to count our supplies. Help Quartermaster Barney check the barrel of hardtack biscuit boxes and rope bundles so we can plan our next move.
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
4
9
216
289
8
256
32
T
4
216
121
64
216
144
625
64
T
4
144
625
8
729
729
T
4
256
216
32
144
169
256
216
2^2 =T
13^2 =U
3^2 =H
2^5 =A
5^4 =N
11^2 =D
4^4 =R
17^2 =P
3^6 =F
4^3 =O
6^3 =E
12^2 =S
2^3 =I
0/13 letters found
Clue 2
Word problems
The gold coins are multiplying fast in the magic chest. It doubles every minute, and we need to find the power of the chest to unlock the clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
R
74
39
64
47
22
47
99
66
D
47
O
O
K
Quartermaster Barney found 13 gold coin yesterday and 61 more today. How many gold coin in all?R
Quartermaster Barney lined up 11 rows of 6 cannonball. How many cannonball in all?N
Quartermaster Barney lined up 11 rows of 2 map scroll. How many map scroll in all?T
Quartermaster Barney found 16 map scroll yesterday and 31 more today. How many map scroll in all?H
Quartermaster Barney lined up 9 rows of 11 gold coin. How many gold coin in all?A
Quartermaster Barney lined up 8 rows of 8 spyglass. How many spyglass in all?G
There were 56 gold coin. 17 were used up. How many gold coin are left?I
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Square roots
The captain wants to tile the captain cabin floor. To find the secret code, we must calculate the side length of this perfect square rug.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
F
4
19
14
23
24
19
18
22
23
12
5
3
2
19
6
23
24
19
12
18
25
13
13
6
19
10
2
19
9
19
14
22
8
sqrt(16) =F
sqrt(36) =D
sqrt(576) =H
sqrt(64) =Y
sqrt(484) =S
sqrt(529) =T
sqrt(25) =C
sqrt(324) =R
sqrt(361) =E
sqrt(100) =N
sqrt(196) =A
sqrt(169) =O
sqrt(9) =K
sqrt(625) =W
sqrt(4) =L
sqrt(81) =G
sqrt(144) =I
0/17 letters found
Clue 4
Pythagorean theorem
We must sail diagonally across the cove to avoid the reef. Help the navigator find the shortest path between the two rocky docks.
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
20
40
52
75
87
17
58
29
10
17
58
34
65
75
65
41
58
34
17
39
15
51
82
87
74
40
58
82
58
34
15
legs 12 and 16, hypotenuse =S
legs 20 and 48, hypotenuse =M
legs 25 and 60, hypotenuse =D
legs 24 and 32, hypotenuse =O
legs 60 and 63, hypotenuse =G
legs 24 and 45, hypotenuse =U
legs 9 and 40, hypotenuse =H
legs 8 and 15, hypotenuse =R
legs 6 and 8, hypotenuse =B
legs 9 and 12, hypotenuse =L
legs 16 and 30, hypotenuse =I
legs 18 and 80, hypotenuse =N
legs 24 and 70, hypotenuse =T
legs 40 and 42, hypotenuse =A
legs 20 and 21, hypotenuse =Y
legs 21 and 72, hypotenuse =E
legs 15 and 36, hypotenuse =C
0/17 letters found
Clue 5
Two-step equations — the last clue
We have two heavy chests of iron balls and a loose weight on the scale. Find the mystery weight of one chest so we can balance the ship.
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
5x + 3 = 23, x = ?
2x + 2 = 12, x = ?
4x + 9 = 45, x = ?
6x + 3 = 21, x = ?
4x + 3 = 35, x = ?
6x + 1 = 37, x = ?
4x + 7 = 11, x = ?
4x + 2 = 46, x = ?
2x + 7 = 31, x = ?
6x + 1 = 13, x = ?
2x + 2 = 22, x = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain blasts the ship cannons, then counts the shiny gold coins.
2.The villain summons the mighty kraken, then sniffs out the hidden chest.
3.The villain reads the secret map, then counts the shiny gold coins.
4.The villain blasts the ship cannons, then swings on a thick rope.
5.The villain steers the pirate galleon, then counts the shiny gold coins.
6.The villain summons the mighty kraken, then climbs up the tall sails.
7.The villain fences with a shiny sword, then swings on a thick rope.
8.The villain steers the pirate galleon, then climbs up the tall sails.
9.The villain reads the secret map, then swings on a thick rope.
10.The villain blasts the ship cannons, then shouts a loud pirate song.
11.The villain blasts the ship cannons, then climbs up the tall sails.
12.The villain fences with a shiny sword, then sniffs out the hidden chest.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Case of the Missing Golden Anchor
Culprit: Jolly Roger (sword dueling · rope swinging · right hand hook · braided gray · ticklish wooden leg)
- Clue 1 (Exponents): "THE PIRATE DOES NOT SNIFF TREASURE"2^2 = 4 (T) · 13^2 = 169 (U) · 3^2 = 9 (H) · 2^5 = 32 (A) · 5^4 = 625 (N) · 11^2 = 121 (D) · 4^4 = 256 (R) · 17^2 = 289 (P) · 3^6 = 729 (F) · 4^3 = 64 (O) · 6^3 = 216 (E) · 12^2 = 144 (S) · 2^3 = 8 (I)
- Clue 2 (Word problems): "RIGHT HAND HOOK"Quartermaster Barney found 13 gold coin yesterday and 61 more today. How many gold coin in all? = 74 (R) · Quartermaster Barney lined up 11 rows of 6 cannonball. How many cannonball in all? = 66 (N) · Quartermaster Barney lined up 11 rows of 2 map scroll. How many map scroll in all? = 22 (T) · Quartermaster Barney found 16 map scroll yesterday and 31 more today. How many map scroll in all? = 47 (H) · Quartermaster Barney lined up 9 rows of 11 gold coin. How many gold coin in all? = 99 (A) · Quartermaster Barney lined up 8 rows of 8 spyglass. How many spyglass in all? = 64 (G) · There were 56 gold coin. 17 were used up. How many gold coin are left? = 39 (I)
- Clue 3 (Square roots): "FEATHERS TICKLED THEIR WOODEN LEG EASY"sqrt(16) = 4 (F) · sqrt(36) = 6 (D) · sqrt(576) = 24 (H) · sqrt(64) = 8 (Y) · sqrt(484) = 22 (S) · sqrt(529) = 23 (T) · sqrt(25) = 5 (C) · sqrt(324) = 18 (R) · sqrt(361) = 19 (E) · sqrt(100) = 10 (N) · sqrt(196) = 14 (A) · sqrt(169) = 13 (O) · sqrt(9) = 3 (K) · sqrt(625) = 25 (W) · sqrt(4) = 2 (L) · sqrt(81) = 9 (G) · sqrt(144) = 12 (I)
- Clue 4 (Pythagorean theorem): "SOME GRAY BRAIDED HAIR CLUNG TO A NAIL"legs 12 and 16, hypotenuse = 20 (S) · legs 20 and 48, hypotenuse = 52 (M) · legs 25 and 60, hypotenuse = 65 (D) · legs 24 and 32, hypotenuse = 40 (O) · legs 60 and 63, hypotenuse = 87 (G) · legs 24 and 45, hypotenuse = 51 (U) · legs 9 and 40, hypotenuse = 41 (H) · legs 8 and 15, hypotenuse = 17 (R) · legs 6 and 8, hypotenuse = 10 (B) · legs 9 and 12, hypotenuse = 15 (L) · legs 16 and 30, hypotenuse = 34 (I) · legs 18 and 80, hypotenuse = 82 (N) · legs 24 and 70, hypotenuse = 74 (T) · legs 40 and 42, hypotenuse = 58 (A) · legs 20 and 21, hypotenuse = 29 (Y) · legs 21 and 72, hypotenuse = 75 (E) · legs 15 and 36, hypotenuse = 39 (C)
- Clue 5 (Two-step equations): surviving statement (box 7) → Jolly Roger5x + 3 = 23, x = 4 · 2x + 2 = 12, x = 5 · 4x + 9 = 45, x = 9 · 6x + 3 = 21, x = 3 · 4x + 3 = 35, x = 8 · 6x + 1 = 37, x = 6 · 4x + 7 = 11, x = 1 · 4x + 2 = 46, x = 11 · 2x + 7 = 31, x = 12 · 6x + 1 = 13, x = 2 · 2x + 2 = 22, x = 10
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 8 math
- Math topics
- Exponents, Word problems, Square roots, Pythagorean theorem, Two-step equations
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Case of the Missing Golden Anchor — set in Scurvy Cove and the High Seas
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects