⛏️ Verity from MinecraftGrade 5Reading: grades 5-6Fractions of a numberMulti-step word problemsBar modelsOrder of operationsMissing addends
The Case of the Ruined Redstone Temple
Verity needs your help! A rogue crafter has broken into the ancient temple archives and stolen the sacred Nether Star Map. We must track down the culprit before they grief the entire server.
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 Block Choice | Pocket Inventory Tool | Holding Stance | Helmet Style | Vulnerability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harper | Prismarine Bricks | Fire Charge | Left Handed Grip | Gold Helmet | Splash Potion of Slowness |
| Max | Redstone Repeaters | Golden Apple | Left Handed Grip | Iron Helmet | Splash Potion of Slowness |
| Jack | Redstone Repeaters | Water Bucket | Left Handed Grip | Netherite Helmet | Splash Potion of Slowness |
| Jesse | Obsidian Blocks | Golden Apple | Left Handed Grip | Gold Helmet | Lava Trench Trap |
| Olivia | Glowstone Blocks | Water Bucket | Right Handed Grip | Gold Helmet | Sweet Berry Bush |
| Fred | Glowstone Blocks | Diamond Pickaxe | Left Handed Grip | Iron Helmet | Splash Potion of Slowness |
| Nurm | Obsidian Blocks | Ender Pearl | Left Handed Grip | Gold Helmet | Lava Trench Trap |
| Emily | Slime Blocks | Ender Pearl | Left Handed Grip | Gold Helmet | Splash Potion of Slowness |
| Binta | Prismarine Bricks | Ender Pearl | Left Handed Grip | Gold Helmet | Splash Potion of Slowness |
| Stella | Obsidian Blocks | Ender Pearl | Right Handed Grip | Gold Helmet | Splash Potion of Slowness |
| Val | Prismarine Bricks | Water Bucket | Left Handed Grip | Gold Helmet | Sweet Berry Bush |
| Soren | Redstone Repeaters | Diamond Pickaxe | Right Handed Grip | Iron Helmet | Sweet Berry Bush |
| Lukas | Obsidian Blocks | Ender Pearl | Left Handed Grip | Netherite Helmet | Splash Potion of Slowness |
| Ivor | Slime Blocks | Ender Pearl | Left Handed Grip | Iron Helmet | Lava Trench Trap |
| Xara | Prismarine Bricks | Golden Apple | Right Handed Grip | Netherite Helmet | Splash Potion of Slowness |
| Nell | Redstone Repeaters | Ender Pearl | Right Handed Grip | Netherite Helmet | Sweet Berry Bush |
| Romeo | Prismarine Bricks | Diamond Pickaxe | Left Handed Grip | Gold Helmet | Splash Potion of Slowness |
| Leo | Redstone Repeaters | Golden Apple | Left Handed Grip | Gold Helmet | Lava Trench Trap |
| Radar | Redstone Repeaters | Golden Apple | Right Handed Grip | Netherite Helmet | Sweet Berry Bush |
| Steve | Prismarine Bricks | Water Bucket | Left Handed Grip | Gold Helmet | Splash Potion of Slowness |
| Petra | Slime Blocks | Water Bucket | Left Handed Grip | Netherite Helmet | Splash Potion of Slowness |
Clue 1
Fractions of a number
Verity stacks rows of cobblestone blocks to compare two minecart storage chests. She draws a visual bar model in the dirt to see which chest holds more coal.
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
5
40
30
6
12
20
30
10
30
12
18
29
30
37
21
29
T
5
28
34
12
12
22
34
10
20
12
30
28
40
34
12
6
30
1/2 of 10 =T
4/8 of 56 =C
2/6 of 120 =H
5/10 of 58 =O
1/6 of 180 =E
1/5 of 185 =S
6/10 of 10 =G
3/6 of 24 =R
4/8 of 42 =N
1/4 of 136 =A
2/5 of 25 =F
4/10 of 50 =I
1/2 of 36 =D
2/3 of 33 =Y
0/14 letters found
Clue 2
Multi-step word problems
To unlock a sealed iron door, Verity must calculate the exact number of iron ingots and wood planks needed to craft several pistons and tripwire hooks.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
L
86
17
56
89
16
49
51
D
17
D
G
R
I
P
There were 580 slimeballs in all. 4 the build team used 16 slimeballs each. The other 6 the build team shared the rest equally. How many slimeballs did each of the other the build team get?L
There were 325 redstone torches in all. 3 the build team used 15 redstone torches each. The other 5 the build team shared the rest equally. How many redstone torches did each of the other the build team get?F
There were 387 golden carrots in all. 4 the build team used 33 golden carrots each. The other 5 the build team shared the rest equally. How many golden carrots did each of the other the build team get?N
There were 192 slimeballs in all. 2 the build team used 7 slimeballs each. The other 2 the build team shared the rest equally. How many slimeballs did each of the other the build team get?T
There were 76 diamond ores in all. 1 the build team used 8 diamond ores each. The other 4 the build team shared the rest equally. How many diamond ores did each of the other the build team get?E
The wandering trader collected 81 ender pearls in the morning and 213 ender pearls in the afternoon, then split them equally among 6 the build team. How many ender pearls did each get?A
There were 113 diamond ores in all. 17 diamond ores were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 6 the build team. How many diamond ores did each get?H
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Bar model word problems
Verity finds a shared chest of emeralds left behind by wandering traders. She divides the total stack to find the exact fraction of gems owned by each trader.
Draw a bar model to solve each word problem. Its answer reveals a letter — write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith .
S
75
124
120
42
S
75
29
124
137
115
I
137
N
137
F
S
75
120
137
W
N
E
S
75
S
75
The wandering trader has 225 ender pearls, packed 3 to a bag. How many bags can be filled?
draw a bar model
Answer:→S
One group collected 13 slimeballs and another group collected 29 slimeballs. How many slimeballs in all?
draw a bar model
Answer:→A
The wandering trader used 1/2 of the golden carrots on the first day. The other 60 golden carrots were used the next day. How many golden carrots were there in all?
draw a bar model
Answer:→L
The wandering trader used 1/5 of the slimeballs on the first day. The other 92 slimeballs were used the next day. How many slimeballs were there in all?
draw a bar model
Answer:→T
The wandering trader has 58 diamond ores, packed 2 to a bag. How many bags can be filled?
draw a bar model
Answer:→H
The wandering trader used 1/2 of the golden carrots on the first day. The other 62 golden carrots were used the next day. How many golden carrots were there in all?
draw a bar model
Answer:→P
One group collected 113 slimeballs and another group collected 24 slimeballs. How many slimeballs in all?
draw a bar model
Answer:→O
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Order of operations
A complex redstone circuit sits before Verity. She must activate the repeaters and levers in the correct order of operations to avoid setting off a TNT trap.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
A
63
17
78
49
70
28
23
73
58
14
70
25
23
23
31
21
40
A
63
17
58
31
6
21
49
70
21
78
31
14
49
29
21
9 + 6 × 9 =A
2 × 10 - 3 =S
10 + 3 × 5 =U
8 + 3 × 2 =D
2 + 2 × 2 =F
5 × 9 - 5 =W
5 × 7 - 6 =R
6 × 5 - 2 =Y
42 + 4 × 9 =H
11 + 2 × 5 =T
9 × 9 - 11 =N
28 + 9 × 5 =O
10 × 5 - 1 =I
33 + 5 × 5 =L
4 × 11 - 13 =E
5 × 10 - 27 =G
0/16 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
A double chest needs to be completely filled with stone blocks to trigger a heavy pressure plate. Verity calculates how many more blocks are missing from the stack.
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
7 + ___ = 14
5 + ___ = 14
3 + ___ = 7
18 + ___ = 23
20 + ___ = 21
37 + ___ = 47
11 + ___ = 13
23 + ___ = 35
2 + ___ = 13
15 + ___ = 18
29 + ___ = 37
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain lays down a complex redstone trail, then tunnels away using a diamond pickaxe.
2.The villain builds a towering wall of obsidian, then sparks a blazing distraction with a fire charge.
3.The villain lights up the dark cavern with glowstone, then sparks a blazing distraction with a fire charge.
4.The villain stacks heavy prismarine bricks, then tunnels away using a diamond pickaxe.
5.The villain bounces high into the air on slime blocks, then heals up quickly by eating a golden apple.
6.The villain bounces high into the air on slime blocks, then teleports through the wall with an ender pearl.
7.The villain stacks heavy prismarine bricks, then places a water bucket to stop the fall.
8.The villain builds a towering wall of obsidian, then tunnels away using a diamond pickaxe.
9.The villain stacks heavy prismarine bricks, then teleports through the wall with an ender pearl.
10.The villain builds a towering wall of obsidian, then heals up quickly by eating a golden apple.
11.The villain lights up the dark cavern with glowstone, then tunnels away using a diamond pickaxe.
12.The villain bounces high into the air on slime blocks, then tunnels away using a diamond pickaxe.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Case of the Ruined Redstone Temple
Culprit: Emily (Slime Blocks · Ender Pearl · Left Handed Grip · Gold Helmet · Splash Potion of Slowness)
- Clue 1 (Fractions of a number): "THE GRIEFER DOES NOT CARRY A FIRE CHARGE"1/2 of 10 = 5 (T) · 4/8 of 56 = 28 (C) · 2/6 of 120 = 40 (H) · 5/10 of 58 = 29 (O) · 1/6 of 180 = 30 (E) · 1/5 of 185 = 37 (S) · 6/10 of 10 = 6 (G) · 3/6 of 24 = 12 (R) · 4/8 of 42 = 21 (N) · 1/4 of 136 = 34 (A) · 2/5 of 25 = 10 (F) · 4/10 of 50 = 20 (I) · 1/2 of 36 = 18 (D) · 2/3 of 33 = 22 (Y)
- Clue 2 (Multi-step word problems): "LEFT HANDED GRIP"There were 580 slimeballs in all. 4 the build team used 16 slimeballs each. The other 6 the build team shared the rest equally. How many slimeballs did each of the other the build team get? = 86 (L) · There were 325 redstone torches in all. 3 the build team used 15 redstone torches each. The other 5 the build team shared the rest equally. How many redstone torches did each of the other the build team get? = 56 (F) · There were 387 golden carrots in all. 4 the build team used 33 golden carrots each. The other 5 the build team shared the rest equally. How many golden carrots did each of the other the build team get? = 51 (N) · There were 192 slimeballs in all. 2 the build team used 7 slimeballs each. The other 2 the build team shared the rest equally. How many slimeballs did each of the other the build team get? = 89 (T) · There were 76 diamond ores in all. 1 the build team used 8 diamond ores each. The other 4 the build team shared the rest equally. How many diamond ores did each of the other the build team get? = 17 (E) · The wandering trader collected 81 ender pearls in the morning and 213 ender pearls in the afternoon, then split them equally among 6 the build team. How many ender pearls did each get? = 49 (A) · There were 113 diamond ores in all. 17 diamond ores were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 6 the build team. How many diamond ores did each get? = 16 (H)
- Clue 3 (Bar model word problems): "SPLASH POTION OF SLOWNESS"The wandering trader has 225 ender pearls, packed 3 to a bag. How many bags can be filled? = 75 (S) · One group collected 13 slimeballs and another group collected 29 slimeballs. How many slimeballs in all? = 42 (A) · The wandering trader used 1/2 of the golden carrots on the first day. The other 60 golden carrots were used the next day. How many golden carrots were there in all? = 120 (L) · The wandering trader used 1/5 of the slimeballs on the first day. The other 92 slimeballs were used the next day. How many slimeballs were there in all? = 115 (T) · The wandering trader has 58 diamond ores, packed 2 to a bag. How many bags can be filled? = 29 (H) · The wandering trader used 1/2 of the golden carrots on the first day. The other 62 golden carrots were used the next day. How many golden carrots were there in all? = 124 (P) · One group collected 113 slimeballs and another group collected 24 slimeballs. How many slimeballs in all? = 137 (O)
- Clue 4 (Order of operations): "A SHINY GOLD NUGGET WAS LEFT IN THE DIRT"9 + 6 × 9 = 63 (A) · 2 × 10 - 3 = 17 (S) · 10 + 3 × 5 = 25 (U) · 8 + 3 × 2 = 14 (D) · 2 + 2 × 2 = 6 (F) · 5 × 9 - 5 = 40 (W) · 5 × 7 - 6 = 29 (R) · 6 × 5 - 2 = 28 (Y) · 42 + 4 × 9 = 78 (H) · 11 + 2 × 5 = 21 (T) · 9 × 9 - 11 = 70 (N) · 28 + 9 × 5 = 73 (O) · 10 × 5 - 1 = 49 (I) · 33 + 5 × 5 = 58 (L) · 4 × 11 - 13 = 31 (E) · 5 × 10 - 27 = 23 (G)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 6) → Emily7 + ___ = 14 = 7 · 5 + ___ = 14 = 9 · 3 + ___ = 7 = 4 · 18 + ___ = 23 = 5 · 20 + ___ = 21 = 1 · 37 + ___ = 47 = 10 · 11 + ___ = 13 = 2 · 23 + ___ = 35 = 12 · 2 + ___ = 13 = 11 · 15 + ___ = 18 = 3 · 29 + ___ = 37 = 8
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 5 math
- Math topics
- Fractions of a number, Multi-step word problems, Bar models, Order of operations, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 5-6
- Theme
- The Case of the Ruined Redstone Temple — set in a deep underground Minecraft cavern filled with blocky ruins and redstone dust
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects