🔎 Melon SandboxGrade 5Reading: grades 5-6MultiplicationRoundingSkip countingPlace valueDivision
The Chaos Engine Sabotage
The Head Physicist's ultimate experiment, the Gold Generator, has been smashed! A glitched ragdoll sneaked into the sandbox grid, spawned chaotic gadgets, and wrecked the machinery. We need to find the culprit before they press the clear-all button!
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 | Main Gadget | Utility Gear | Wiring Connection | Stem Style | Slowing Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molly Metal | Thruster Pack | Jet Boots | Right Wired | Spiky Leaf | Magnet Beam |
| Larry Leaf | Gravity Gun | Metal Plate Armor | Right Wired | Spiky Leaf | Rusty Gear |
| Robot Rob | Shock Wire | Laser Pointer | Right Wired | Spiky Leaf | Soap Water |
| Penny Plate | Gravity Gun | Metal Plate Armor | Left Wired | Spiky Leaf | Magnet Beam |
| Billy Button | Shock Wire | Metal Plate Armor | Right Wired | Spiky Leaf | Magnet Beam |
| Bella Balloon | Thruster Pack | Metal Plate Armor | Right Wired | Stubby Stem | Rusty Gear |
| Tommy Thruster | Freeze Ray | Ranger Helmet | Left Wired | Curly Vine | Magnet Beam |
| Apple Art | Gravity Gun | Jet Boots | Right Wired | Curly Vine | Soap Water |
| Cactus Cole | Gravity Gun | Force Shield | Right Wired | Curly Vine | Magnet Beam |
| Terry Tesla | Thruster Pack | Jet Boots | Right Wired | Curly Vine | Rusty Gear |
| Melon Mel | Thruster Pack | Ranger Helmet | Left Wired | Curly Vine | Soap Water |
| Sammy Stem | Shock Wire | Laser Pointer | Right Wired | Curly Vine | Rusty Gear |
| Gus Gravity | Freeze Ray | Jet Boots | Right Wired | Stubby Stem | Magnet Beam |
| Adam Acid | Shock Wire | Laser Pointer | Right Wired | Spiky Leaf | Magnet Beam |
| Steve Steam | Thruster Pack | Force Shield | Left Wired | Stubby Stem | Soap Water |
| Laser Luke | Thruster Pack | Metal Plate Armor | Right Wired | Spiky Leaf | Magnet Beam |
| Sally Spawn | Shock Wire | Laser Pointer | Right Wired | Spiky Leaf | Rusty Gear |
| Wendy Wire | Thruster Pack | Force Shield | Left Wired | Curly Vine | Soap Water |
| Gary Gear | Acid Syringe | Laser Pointer | Right Wired | Curly Vine | Magnet Beam |
| Pumpkin Pete | Thruster Pack | Force Shield | Right Wired | Spiky Leaf | Magnet Beam |
| Victor Vine | Freeze Ray | Laser Pointer | Left Wired | Curly Vine | Soap Water |
Clue 1
Multiplication facts (1-12)
We need to count the energy batteries to power our scanner. There are several rows with the same number of batteries in each row.
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
14
40
144
20
5
7
7
45
5
12
96
9
144
36
12
9
T
14
40
45
20
144
45
100
9
49
35
144
36
40
5
144
7
96
7 × 2 =T
3 × 3 =O
8 × 12 =D
10 × 10 =F
7 × 7 =R
1 × 5 =I
4 × 5 =V
8 × 5 =H
4 × 3 =N
5 × 9 =A
5 × 7 =C
7 × 1 =L
12 × 12 =E
9 × 4 =S
0/14 letters found
Clue 2
Rounding
Our scanner dial is shaky and only displays rounded numbers. Round the weight of the metal block to find 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.
R
7000
1100
500
30
110
9000
1100
R
7000
200
290
70
170
90
R
7000
5000
70
9000
200
R
7000
200
50
700
2000
20
290
700
20
110
30
200
50
2900
700
700
R
7000
Round 6,871 to the nearest thousandR
Round 1,064 to the nearest hundredI
Round 223 to the nearest hundredE
Round 5,010 to the nearest thousandK
Round 88 to the nearest tenA
Round 31 to the nearest tenH
Round 168 to the nearest tenP
Round 8,906 to the nearest thousandW
Round 287 to the nearest tenD
Round 2,880 to the nearest hundredL
Round 719 to the nearest hundredO
Round 49 to the nearest tenF
Round 463 to the nearest hundredG
Round 69 to the nearest tenS
Round 107 to the nearest tenT
Round 2,283 to the nearest thousandU
Round 19 to the nearest tenN
0/17 letters found
Clue 3
Skip counting
The power line pulses at equal intervals. Count the pulses on the wire to locate the villain's secret weakness.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
V
10
24
6
6
21
24
9
24
42
120
16
21
80
80
12
120
26
27
21
140
21
80
9
12
40
26
12
21
140
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14V
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16E
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50T
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15N
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160M
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10L
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20R
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100G
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, ___, 27, 30I
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30B
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48S
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33Y
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, ___, 130, 140D
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27A
0/14 letters found
Clue 4
Place value
The sandbox security door is locked with a digit-code. Look at the digit in the tens place to open the locker with the hair sample.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
W
100
3000
600
400
700
30
6000
200
90
1000
60
40
2000
5000
3000
200
600
200
800
800
7000
3000
70
900
60
50
3000
90
70
3000
30
3000
What is the value of the 1 in 33,144?W
What is the value of the 6 in 33,160?I
What is the value of the 3 in 158,032?N
What is the value of the 7 in 167,489?H
What is the value of the 9 in 42,966?R
What is the value of the 7 in 16,729?U
What is the value of the 9 in 46,892?S
What is the value of the 7 in 31,176?C
What is the value of the 4 in 18,549?K
What is the value of the 1 in 81,434?P
What is the value of the 6 in 480,648?F
What is the value of the 3 in 13,401?E
What is the value of the 5 in 89,354?M
What is the value of the 2 in 43,273?A
What is the value of the 5 in 65,424?L
What is the value of the 2 in 362,671?Y
What is the value of the 6 in 726,148?D
What is the value of the 8 in 24,866?T
What is the value of the 4 in 87,403?O
0/19 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
We must divide our tracking syringes equally among the containment boxes to run the final search.
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
72 ÷ 8 = ?
14 ÷ 2 = ?
48 ÷ 4 = ?
10 ÷ 10 = ?
15 ÷ 5 = ?
10 ÷ 2 = ?
24 ÷ 6 = ?
8 ÷ 4 = ?
30 ÷ 3 = ?
33 ÷ 3 = ?
48 ÷ 6 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain aims a gravity gun, then shines a laser pointer.
2.The villain splashes an acid syringe, then straps on metal plate armor.
3.The villain splashes an acid syringe, then shines a laser pointer.
4.The villain aims a gravity gun, then powers up a force shield.
5.The villain fires a freeze ray, then activates jet boots.
6.The villain connects a shock wire, then straps on metal plate armor.
7.The villain blasts a thruster pack, then straps on metal plate armor.
8.The villain fires a freeze ray, then shines a laser pointer.
9.The villain connects a shock wire, then shines a laser pointer.
10.The villain blasts a thruster pack, then shines a laser pointer.
11.The villain connects a shock wire, then dons a ranger helmet.
12.The villain blasts a thruster pack, then activates jet boots.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Chaos Engine Sabotage
Culprit: Billy Button (Shock Wire · Metal Plate Armor · Right Wired · Spiky Leaf · Magnet Beam)
- Clue 1 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT HAVE A FORCE SHIELD"7 × 2 = 14 (T) · 3 × 3 = 9 (O) · 8 × 12 = 96 (D) · 10 × 10 = 100 (F) · 7 × 7 = 49 (R) · 1 × 5 = 5 (I) · 4 × 5 = 20 (V) · 8 × 5 = 40 (H) · 4 × 3 = 12 (N) · 5 × 9 = 45 (A) · 5 × 7 = 35 (C) · 7 × 1 = 7 (L) · 12 × 12 = 144 (E) · 9 × 4 = 36 (S)
- Clue 2 (Rounding): "RIGHT WIRED SPARKS WERE FOUND ON THE FLOOR"Round 6,871 to the nearest thousand = 7000 (R) · Round 1,064 to the nearest hundred = 1100 (I) · Round 223 to the nearest hundred = 200 (E) · Round 5,010 to the nearest thousand = 5000 (K) · Round 88 to the nearest ten = 90 (A) · Round 31 to the nearest ten = 30 (H) · Round 168 to the nearest ten = 170 (P) · Round 8,906 to the nearest thousand = 9000 (W) · Round 287 to the nearest ten = 290 (D) · Round 2,880 to the nearest hundred = 2900 (L) · Round 719 to the nearest hundred = 700 (O) · Round 49 to the nearest ten = 50 (F) · Round 463 to the nearest hundred = 500 (G) · Round 69 to the nearest ten = 70 (S) · Round 107 to the nearest ten = 110 (T) · Round 2,283 to the nearest thousand = 2000 (U) · Round 19 to the nearest ten = 20 (N)
- Clue 3 (Skip counting): "VILLAIN IS DRAGGED BY A MAGNET BEAM"Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (V) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16 = 12 (E) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50 = 40 (T) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15 = 9 (N) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160 = 140 (M) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (L) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (R) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100 = 80 (G) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, ___, 27, 30 = 24 (I) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30 = 26 (B) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48 = 42 (S) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33 = 27 (Y) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, ___, 130, 140 = 120 (D) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (A)
- Clue 4 (Place value): "WE FOUND A SPIKY LEAF AT THE CRIME SCENE"What is the value of the 1 in 33,144? = 100 (W) · What is the value of the 6 in 33,160? = 60 (I) · What is the value of the 3 in 158,032? = 30 (N) · What is the value of the 7 in 167,489? = 7000 (H) · What is the value of the 9 in 42,966? = 900 (R) · What is the value of the 7 in 16,729? = 700 (U) · What is the value of the 9 in 46,892? = 90 (S) · What is the value of the 7 in 31,176? = 70 (C) · What is the value of the 4 in 18,549? = 40 (K) · What is the value of the 1 in 81,434? = 1000 (P) · What is the value of the 6 in 480,648? = 600 (F) · What is the value of the 3 in 13,401? = 3000 (E) · What is the value of the 5 in 89,354? = 50 (M) · What is the value of the 2 in 43,273? = 200 (A) · What is the value of the 5 in 65,424? = 5000 (L) · What is the value of the 2 in 362,671? = 2000 (Y) · What is the value of the 6 in 726,148? = 6000 (D) · What is the value of the 8 in 24,866? = 800 (T) · What is the value of the 4 in 87,403? = 400 (O)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 6) → Billy Button72 ÷ 8 = 9 · 14 ÷ 2 = 7 · 48 ÷ 4 = 12 · 10 ÷ 10 = 1 · 15 ÷ 5 = 3 · 10 ÷ 2 = 5 · 24 ÷ 6 = 4 · 8 ÷ 4 = 2 · 30 ÷ 3 = 10 · 33 ÷ 3 = 11 · 48 ÷ 6 = 8
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 5 math
- Math topics
- Multiplication, Rounding, Skip counting, Place value, Division
- Reading level
- grades 5-6
- Theme
- The Chaos Engine Sabotage — set in The Physics Sandbox Lab
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects