🏀 BasketballGrade 8Reading: grades 7-9ExponentsSquare rootsPythagorean theoremOrder of operationsTwo-step equations
The Championship Trophy Heist
The gold MVP trophy has vanished from the display case right before the buzzer of the championship game. The arena cameras captured a blurry figure in athletic gear fleeing through the tunnel. Solve the basketball data puzzles to reveal the clues, cross-reference the suspect sheet, and recover the prize.
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 Skill | Signature Gear | Shooting Hand | Hairstyle | Defensive Flaw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ja Morant | Sharpshooter | Lucky Headband | Right-handed | Crew Cut | Zone Defense |
| Kyrie Irving | Glass Cleaner | Lucky Headband | Left-handed | Buzz Cut | Full Court Press |
| Donovan Mitchell | Dunk Master | High-top Shoes | Right-handed | Crew Cut | Full Court Press |
| Stephen Curry | Glass Cleaner | Ankle Braces | Left-handed | Buzz Cut | Zone Defense |
| Jaylen Brown | Dunk Master | Sleek Goggles | Right-handed | Buzz Cut | Full Court Press |
| James Harden | Glass Cleaner | Lucky Headband | Left-handed | Dreadlocks | Full Court Press |
| Damian Lillard | Glass Cleaner | High-top Shoes | Left-handed | Buzz Cut | Full Court Press |
| Bam Adebayo | Sharpshooter | Lucky Headband | Left-handed | Dreadlocks | Full Court Press |
| Trae Young | Sharpshooter | Ankle Braces | Left-handed | Dreadlocks | Zone Defense |
| Luka Doncic | Rim Protector | Lucky Headband | Right-handed | Buzz Cut | Zone Defense |
| LeBron James | Playmaker | Ankle Braces | Right-handed | Dreadlocks | Zone Defense |
| Kawhi Leonard | Glass Cleaner | High-top Shoes | Right-handed | Buzz Cut | Full Court Press |
| Jimmy Butler | Sharpshooter | Red Wristband | Left-handed | Buzz Cut | Full Court Press |
| Devin Booker | Sharpshooter | High-top Shoes | Left-handed | Crew Cut | Full Court Press |
| Jayson Tatum | Playmaker | High-top Shoes | Left-handed | Dreadlocks | Full Court Press |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Sharpshooter | Red Wristband | Right-handed | Crew Cut | Full Court Press |
| Russell Westbrook | Sharpshooter | Ankle Braces | Right-handed | Buzz Cut | Full Court Press |
| Paul George | Glass Cleaner | Lucky Headband | Left-handed | Crew Cut | Full Court Press |
| Anthony Davis | Playmaker | Ankle Braces | Right-handed | Buzz Cut | Full Court Press |
| Joel Embiid | Dunk Master | High-top Shoes | Right-handed | Buzz Cut | Double Team |
| Kevin Durant | Sharpshooter | Red Wristband | Right-handed | Buzz Cut | Full Court Press |
Clue 1
Exponents
To map out the security system's bracket-style grid, the coach squares the base power levels of the backup generators.
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
25
64
100
T
25
64
169
100
343
121
32
100
256
324
32
T
25
4
100
729
625
361
32
361
361
49
100
256
5^2 =T
4^3 =H
2^5 =O
19^2 =G
2^2 =W
13^2 =I
10^2 =E
5^4 =R
7^3 =F
7^2 =L
9^3 =A
11^2 =D
18^2 =N
2^8 =S
0/14 letters found
Clue 2
Square roots
The court coordinator needs to find the exact side length of the perfect square key area by finding its root.
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
6
16
7
22
9
12
12
8
9
10
18
16
15
T
6
21
9
T
6
16
T
6
16
7
9
13
13
9
23
16
T
6
16
8
10
20
sqrt(36) =T
sqrt(144) =L
sqrt(484) =V
sqrt(256) =H
sqrt(81) =I
sqrt(64) =A
sqrt(49) =E
sqrt(225) =O
sqrt(441) =W
sqrt(529) =G
sqrt(400) =D
sqrt(324) =S
sqrt(100) =N
sqrt(169) =R
0/14 letters found
Clue 3
Pythagorean theorem
To calculate the fastest path for a diagonal outlet pass, the team calculates the hypotenuse from the baseline corner to the wing.
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
74
40
10
34
17
87
13
50
10
85
T
74
37
58
10
87
T
74
T
74
40
10
17
30
50
50
52
37
30
65
T
74
5
65
10
68
68
legs 24 and 70, hypotenuse =T
legs 3 and 4, hypotenuse =P
legs 40 and 75, hypotenuse =D
legs 32 and 60, hypotenuse =S
legs 25 and 60, hypotenuse =R
legs 18 and 24, hypotenuse =U
legs 16 and 30, hypotenuse =Y
legs 20 and 48, hypotenuse =C
legs 40 and 42, hypotenuse =B
legs 8 and 15, hypotenuse =F
legs 6 and 8, hypotenuse =E
legs 5 and 12, hypotenuse =I
legs 12 and 35, hypotenuse =O
legs 24 and 32, hypotenuse =H
legs 14 and 48, hypotenuse =L
legs 60 and 63, hypotenuse =A
0/16 letters found
Clue 4
Order of operations
Analyzing the play-by-play scoring log requires evaluating the bracketed multi-step team efficiency rating first.
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
36
82
55
47
87
32
37
38
18
18
120
38
32
55
A
36
116
87
16
A
36
82
47
69
32
55
13
37
A
36
103
103
7 × 9 - 27 =A
12 × 7 - 2 =S
6 + 6 × 2 =Z
92 + 6 × 4 =I
5 × 8 - 27 =E
9 × 12 - 21 =R
3 × 9 - 11 =W
10 × 9 - 21 =N
27 + 5 × 4 =O
3 × 12 - 4 =T
7 × 11 - 22 =H
40 + 9 × 7 =L
12 × 12 - 24 =C
9 × 6 - 17 =B
7 × 6 - 4 =U
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Two-step equations — the last clue
The head scout sets up an equation to isolate the exact number of drills needed to hit the target shooting percentage.
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
3x + 10 = 19, x = ?
5x + 10 = 30, x = ?
2x + 8 = 20, x = ?
6x + 11 = 77, x = ?
2x + 8 = 12, x = ?
2x + 4 = 28, x = ?
6x + 9 = 15, x = ?
2x + 8 = 28, x = ?
6x + 7 = 37, x = ?
4x + 2 = 30, x = ?
6x + 8 = 62, x = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain drove hard to the hoop for a layup, then adjusted their lucky headband.
2.The villain drove hard to the hoop for a layup, then cleaned their sleek goggles.
3.The villain grabbed a crucial offensive rebound, then squeaked their high-top shoes on the court.
4.The villain drained a clutch three-pointer, then tightened their red wristband.
5.The villain grabbed a crucial offensive rebound, then cleaned their sleek goggles.
6.The villain dished out a brilliant no-look pass, then strapped on their ankle braces.
7.The villain swatted away a game-winning shot, then adjusted their lucky headband.
8.The villain drained a clutch three-pointer, then strapped on their ankle braces.
9.The villain grabbed a crucial offensive rebound, then strapped on their ankle braces.
10.The villain drove hard to the hoop for a layup, then squeaked their high-top shoes on the court.
11.The villain swatted away a game-winning shot, then cleaned their sleek goggles.
12.The villain drove hard to the hoop for a layup, then tightened their red wristband.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Championship Trophy Heist
Culprit: Russell Westbrook (Sharpshooter · Ankle Braces · Right-handed · Buzz Cut · Full Court Press)
- Clue 1 (Exponents): "THE THIEF DOES NOT WEAR GOGGLES"5^2 = 25 (T) · 4^3 = 64 (H) · 2^5 = 32 (O) · 19^2 = 361 (G) · 2^2 = 4 (W) · 13^2 = 169 (I) · 10^2 = 100 (E) · 5^4 = 625 (R) · 7^3 = 343 (F) · 7^2 = 49 (L) · 9^3 = 729 (A) · 11^2 = 121 (D) · 18^2 = 324 (N) · 2^8 = 256 (S)
- Clue 2 (Square roots): "THE VILLAIN SHOT WITH THEIR RIGHT HAND"sqrt(36) = 6 (T) · sqrt(144) = 12 (L) · sqrt(484) = 22 (V) · sqrt(256) = 16 (H) · sqrt(81) = 9 (I) · sqrt(64) = 8 (A) · sqrt(49) = 7 (E) · sqrt(225) = 15 (O) · sqrt(441) = 21 (W) · sqrt(529) = 23 (G) · sqrt(400) = 20 (D) · sqrt(324) = 18 (S) · sqrt(100) = 10 (N) · sqrt(169) = 13 (R)
- Clue 3 (Pythagorean theorem): "THEY FAILED TO BEAT THE FULL COURT PRESS"legs 24 and 70, hypotenuse = 74 (T) · legs 3 and 4, hypotenuse = 5 (P) · legs 40 and 75, hypotenuse = 85 (D) · legs 32 and 60, hypotenuse = 68 (S) · legs 25 and 60, hypotenuse = 65 (R) · legs 18 and 24, hypotenuse = 30 (U) · legs 16 and 30, hypotenuse = 34 (Y) · legs 20 and 48, hypotenuse = 52 (C) · legs 40 and 42, hypotenuse = 58 (B) · legs 8 and 15, hypotenuse = 17 (F) · legs 6 and 8, hypotenuse = 10 (E) · legs 5 and 12, hypotenuse = 13 (I) · legs 12 and 35, hypotenuse = 37 (O) · legs 24 and 32, hypotenuse = 40 (H) · legs 14 and 48, hypotenuse = 50 (L) · legs 60 and 63, hypotenuse = 87 (A)
- Clue 4 (Order of operations): "A SHORT BUZZ CUT HAIR WAS ON THE BALL"7 × 9 - 27 = 36 (A) · 12 × 7 - 2 = 82 (S) · 6 + 6 × 2 = 18 (Z) · 92 + 6 × 4 = 116 (I) · 5 × 8 - 27 = 13 (E) · 9 × 12 - 21 = 87 (R) · 3 × 9 - 11 = 16 (W) · 10 × 9 - 21 = 69 (N) · 27 + 5 × 4 = 47 (O) · 3 × 12 - 4 = 32 (T) · 7 × 11 - 22 = 55 (H) · 40 + 9 × 7 = 103 (L) · 12 × 12 - 24 = 120 (C) · 9 × 6 - 17 = 37 (B) · 7 × 6 - 4 = 38 (U)
- Clue 5 (Two-step equations): surviving statement (box 8) → Russell Westbrook3x + 10 = 19, x = 3 · 5x + 10 = 30, x = 4 · 2x + 8 = 20, x = 6 · 6x + 11 = 77, x = 11 · 2x + 8 = 12, x = 2 · 2x + 4 = 28, x = 12 · 6x + 9 = 15, x = 1 · 2x + 8 = 28, x = 10 · 6x + 7 = 37, x = 5 · 4x + 2 = 30, x = 7 · 6x + 8 = 62, x = 9
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 8 math
- Math topics
- Exponents, Square roots, Pythagorean theorem, Order of operations, Two-step equations
- Reading level
- grades 7-9
- Theme
- The Championship Trophy Heist — set in the gleaming court of the Metro Arena
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects