🚀 SpaceGrade 3Reading: grades 3-4Place valueAdditionMultiplicationSkip countingDivision
The Case of the Starlight Sabotage
Oh no! A mysterious rogue has messed up the star flight paths at Starlight Station. The Station Captain needs your help to crack the codes and catch the Cosmic Crasher before the rockets launch!
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 | Gear Item | Space Tool | Writing Hand | Helmet Visor | Capture Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neil Armstrong | Plasma-Shield | Star-Map | Right-handed | Silver visor | Magnetic net |
| Guy Bluford | Nebula-Cloak | Solar-Scoop | Left-handed | Silver visor | Gravity beam |
| Fred Haise | Rocket-Pack | Star-Map | Left-handed | Silver visor | Gravity beam |
| Gene Cernan | Laser-Cutter | Star-Map | Right-handed | Silver visor | Gravity beam |
| Scott Kelly | Nebula-Cloak | Comet-Dust | Right-handed | Blue visor | Gravity beam |
| Valentina Tereshkova | Grav-Boots | Lunar-Drill | Right-handed | Silver visor | Ice laser |
| Tim Peake | Laser-Cutter | Space-Wrench | Left-handed | Gold visor | Gravity beam |
| Alan Shepard | Rocket-Pack | Space-Wrench | Left-handed | Gold visor | Gravity beam |
| John Glenn | Plasma-Shield | Space-Wrench | Left-handed | Silver visor | Gravity beam |
| Mae Jemison | Plasma-Shield | Lunar-Drill | Left-handed | Gold visor | Gravity beam |
| Guion Bluford | Grav-Boots | Solar-Scoop | Left-handed | Blue visor | Ice laser |
| Buzz Aldrin | Nebula-Cloak | Lunar-Drill | Left-handed | Silver visor | Magnetic net |
| Sunita Williams | Grav-Boots | Space-Wrench | Left-handed | Silver visor | Gravity beam |
| Chris Hadfield | Nebula-Cloak | Space-Wrench | Left-handed | Silver visor | Gravity beam |
| Sally Ride | Rocket-Pack | Star-Map | Left-handed | Gold visor | Magnetic net |
| Mark Kelly | Rocket-Pack | Lunar-Drill | Right-handed | Blue visor | Ice laser |
| Ed White | Rocket-Pack | Space-Wrench | Right-handed | Silver visor | Ice laser |
| Ellen Ochoa | Grav-Boots | Star-Map | Left-handed | Gold visor | Ice laser |
| Peggy Whitson | Laser-Cutter | Solar-Scoop | Left-handed | Silver visor | Gravity beam |
| Pete Conrad | Rocket-Pack | Solar-Scoop | Left-handed | Blue visor | Ice laser |
| Yuri Gagarin | Rocket-Pack | Space-Wrench | Right-handed | Silver visor | Gravity beam |
Clue 1
Place value
The station radar flashed a weird number. To find the first clue, look at the digit in the tens place of our coordinate scan!
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
1000
60
30
20
500
6000
6000
800
500
4000
900
9000
30
200
4000
9000
T
1000
5000
200
30
800
200
9000
6000
800
600
200
400
9000
9000
40
What is the value of the 1 in 1,752?T
What is the value of the 4 in 8,429?C
What is the value of the 4 in 849?P
What is the value of the 9 in 948?D
What is the value of the 3 in 434?E
What is the value of the 9 in 9,532?O
What is the value of the 2 in 261?S
What is the value of the 6 in 26,415?L
What is the value of the 6 in 5,619?R
What is the value of the 4 in 4,111?N
What is the value of the 5 in 5,891?U
What is the value of the 8 in 9,859?A
What is the value of the 5 in 3,528?I
What is the value of the 2 in 4,626?V
What is the value of the 6 in 363?H
0/15 letters found
Clue 2
Addition
Space logs showed two different teams counting falling meteors. If we add their counts together, we get the code for the next locked locker!
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
298
863
391
592
952
592
392
391
699
T
298
588
624
325
T
298
391
961
325
T
298
391
592
588
986
T
298
863
T
298
863
391
986
624
812
391
596
T
298
863
299
961
655
127 + 171 =T
342 + 619 =N
339 + 249 =W
134 + 165 =A
183 + 413 =F
569 + 417 =I
643 + 309 =U
268 + 544 =L
247 + 377 =R
233 + 422 =D
451 + 248 =C
380 + 212 =S
187 + 138 =O
270 + 593 =H
228 + 163 =E
131 + 261 =P
0/16 letters found
Clue 3
Multiplication facts (1-12)
The hydroponics bay had star-plants growing in perfect rows. Let us multiply the rows by the plants in each row to find the secret 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.
T
35
22
40
50
32
144
49
40
2
8
10
T
35
50
8
96
96
40
15
80
24
8
144
50
8
11
6
T
35
24
80
40
8
54
5 × 7 =T
9 × 6 =M
12 × 8 =P
6 × 4 =Y
5 × 8 =E
1 × 2 =W
4 × 2 =A
1 × 10 =S
11 × 2 =H
1 × 6 =I
10 × 5 =R
1 × 11 =V
12 × 12 =G
8 × 4 =O
7 × 7 =U
8 × 10 =B
5 × 3 =D
0/17 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
The landing pad lights flashed in a steady pattern. Look, they are skip-counting by fives to guide our ship safely to the next 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.
A
65
39
9
35
130
60
55
130
9
39
40
55
26
A
65
39
39
21
40
80
80
60
28
40
10
80
25
60
28
60
110
36
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75A
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ___, 70, 80E
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130C
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65R
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30W
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45L
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150V
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42K
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27P
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100T
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32D
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35H
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14N
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15I
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50O
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45S
0/16 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
We found a bag of space crystals to share among the crew. If we divide them equally among our three teams, the leftover number gives us the final secret!
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
6 ÷ 2 = ?
15 ÷ 3 = ?
9 ÷ 1 = ?
22 ÷ 11 = ?
36 ÷ 6 = ?
100 ÷ 10 = ?
36 ÷ 3 = ?
49 ÷ 7 = ?
72 ÷ 9 = ?
1 ÷ 1 = ?
8 ÷ 2 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain floated through the airlock, then zipped toward the asteroid belt.
2.The villain sneaked into the cargo bay, then hid behind the giant solar panel.
3.The villain floated through the airlock, then tangled up the antenna wires.
4.The villain zapped the main power box, then zipped toward the asteroid belt.
5.The villain sneaked into the cargo bay, then stole the crystal fuel cell.
6.The villain scrambled the rocket controls, then fled down the escape hatch.
7.The villain zapped the main power box, then hid behind the giant solar panel.
8.The villain scrambled the rocket controls, then zipped toward the asteroid belt.
9.The villain unlocked the gravity generator, then tangled up the antenna wires.
10.The villain sneaked into the cargo bay, then zipped toward the asteroid belt.
11.The villain scrambled the rocket controls, then tangled up the antenna wires.
12.The villain unlocked the gravity generator, then zipped toward the asteroid belt.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Case of the Starlight Sabotage
Culprit: John Glenn (Plasma-Shield · Space-Wrench · Left-handed · Silver visor · Gravity beam)
- Clue 1 (Place value): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT USE A SOLAR SCOOP"What is the value of the 1 in 1,752? = 1000 (T) · What is the value of the 4 in 8,429? = 400 (C) · What is the value of the 4 in 849? = 40 (P) · What is the value of the 9 in 948? = 900 (D) · What is the value of the 3 in 434? = 30 (E) · What is the value of the 9 in 9,532? = 9000 (O) · What is the value of the 2 in 261? = 200 (S) · What is the value of the 6 in 26,415? = 6000 (L) · What is the value of the 6 in 5,619? = 600 (R) · What is the value of the 4 in 4,111? = 4000 (N) · What is the value of the 5 in 5,891? = 5000 (U) · What is the value of the 8 in 9,859? = 800 (A) · What is the value of the 5 in 3,528? = 500 (I) · What is the value of the 2 in 4,626? = 20 (V) · What is the value of the 6 in 363? = 60 (H)
- Clue 2 (Addition): "THE SUSPECT WROTE NOTES WITH THEIR LEFT HAND"127 + 171 = 298 (T) · 342 + 619 = 961 (N) · 339 + 249 = 588 (W) · 134 + 165 = 299 (A) · 183 + 413 = 596 (F) · 569 + 417 = 986 (I) · 643 + 309 = 952 (U) · 268 + 544 = 812 (L) · 247 + 377 = 624 (R) · 233 + 422 = 655 (D) · 451 + 248 = 699 (C) · 380 + 212 = 592 (S) · 187 + 138 = 325 (O) · 270 + 593 = 863 (H) · 228 + 163 = 391 (E) · 131 + 261 = 392 (P)
- Clue 3 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE ROGUE WAS TRAPPED BY A GRAVITY BEAM"5 × 7 = 35 (T) · 9 × 6 = 54 (M) · 12 × 8 = 96 (P) · 6 × 4 = 24 (Y) · 5 × 8 = 40 (E) · 1 × 2 = 2 (W) · 4 × 2 = 8 (A) · 1 × 10 = 10 (S) · 11 × 2 = 22 (H) · 1 × 6 = 6 (I) · 10 × 5 = 50 (R) · 1 × 11 = 11 (V) · 12 × 12 = 144 (G) · 8 × 4 = 32 (O) · 7 × 7 = 49 (U) · 8 × 10 = 80 (B) · 5 × 3 = 15 (D)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "A SILVER VISOR WAS SPOTTED ON THE DECK"Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75 = 65 (A) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ___, 70, 80 = 60 (E) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130 = 110 (C) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65 = 55 (R) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30 = 26 (W) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (L) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (V) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (K) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (P) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100 = 80 (T) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (D) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (H) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (N) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15 = 9 (I) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50 = 40 (O) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45 = 39 (S)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 11) → John Glenn6 ÷ 2 = 3 · 15 ÷ 3 = 5 · 9 ÷ 1 = 9 · 22 ÷ 11 = 2 · 36 ÷ 6 = 6 · 100 ÷ 10 = 10 · 36 ÷ 3 = 12 · 49 ÷ 7 = 7 · 72 ÷ 9 = 8 · 1 ÷ 1 = 1 · 8 ÷ 2 = 4
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 3 math
- Math topics
- Place value, Addition, Multiplication, Skip counting, Division
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Case of the Starlight Sabotage — set in Starlight Station
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects