Math Mysteries
Grade 4Reading: grades 3-4Place valueAdditionSubtractionMultiplicationMissing addends

The Cloud Kingdom Caper

The legendary Golden Compass has been snatched from the Chief Mapmaker's high-flying workshop! We must gather clues across the floating islands to track down the Sky Bandit.

Suspects

Possible suspects

Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.

21 of 21 still in play
NameAirship Pilot GearSecret GadgetEye GearHair ColorFear
KaiWind SailNet LauncherBrass GogglesCurly GreenShiny Mirrors
MiloStorm EngineSmoke BombTinted VisorCurly GreenWild Flowers
SullyGrapple HookNet LauncherBrass GogglesCurly GreenShiny Mirrors
LunaWind SailFlash LightBrass GogglesCurly GreenShiny Mirrors
FinnStorm EngineZip LineBrass GogglesCurly GreenWild Flowers
JaxStorm EngineFlash LightBrass GogglesCurly GreenShiny Mirrors
OtisCloud GliderMagma BootsBrass GogglesCurly GreenWild Flowers
NoraStorm EngineFlash LightBrass GogglesCurly GreenWild Flowers
MarcoWind SailSmoke BombBrass GogglesSpiky BlueWild Flowers
LeoTurbo PropFlash LightTinted VisorSpunky RedSqueaky Toys
MayaCloud GliderZip LineBrass GogglesCurly GreenShiny Mirrors
DrakeWind SailFlash LightBrass GogglesCurly GreenWild Flowers
SkyeCloud GliderZip LineTinted VisorCurly GreenShiny Mirrors
DashTurbo PropMagma BootsTinted VisorSpunky RedShiny Mirrors
IndianaStorm EngineSmoke BombTinted VisorCurly GreenShiny Mirrors
EzraGrapple HookNet LauncherBrass GogglesCurly GreenSqueaky Toys
HazelStorm EngineNet LauncherBrass GogglesCurly GreenWild Flowers
ClaraWind SailMagma BootsTinted VisorSpiky BlueWild Flowers
LaraCloud GliderNet LauncherTinted VisorSpunky RedWild Flowers
AmeliaGrapple HookNet LauncherTinted VisorSpunky RedSqueaky Toys
BarbyCloud GliderNet LauncherBrass GogglesSpunky RedShiny Mirrors
Clue 1

Place value

To track the airship, we must look at the digital coordinate dial. We need to find the value of the digit in the tens place.

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
900
90
80
T
900
90
30
80
400
700
800
80
50
10
800
T
900
5000
50
80
4000
3000
6000
4000
3000
300
800
800
T
900
50
What is the value of the 9 in 953?T
What is the value of the 3 in 5,037?I
What is the value of the 6 in 26,981?G
What is the value of the 3 in 43,077?A
What is the value of the 3 in 357?B
What is the value of the 8 in 839?O
What is the value of the 9 in 6,093?H
What is the value of the 8 in 4,789?E
What is the value of the 1 in 2,518?N
What is the value of the 7 in 760?D
What is the value of the 5 in 5,738?U
What is the value of the 4 in 5,499?F
What is the value of the 4 in 34,979?M
What is the value of the 5 in 7,156?S
0/14 letters found
Clue 2

Addition

We found a pile of dropped map scrolls in the forest. Let us add them all up to see how many the thief took.

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
8922
2228
9092
7771
7382
8342
8342
8761
7382
3546
9182
9092
8761
6509
7423
9184
6509
8761
7423
7423
6492
5605
6492
6492
8342
9092
7423
3984 + 4938 =T
3753 + 4589 =L
5908 + 2853 =A
2161 + 1385 =N
5091 + 2680 =V
5935 + 3249 =B
4441 + 4651 =E
3627 + 2865 =G
805 + 1423 =H
3754 + 5428 =W
3119 + 4263 =I
2342 + 4167 =R
1716 + 3889 =O
4451 + 2972 =S
0/14 letters found
Clue 3

Subtraction

The bandit's fuel tank is leaking. If we subtract the spilled fuel from the total, we will know how far they can fly.

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
7050
2041
2041
6064
3948
3371
7802
3055
7206
5744
3693
7802
2041
6802
5829
2041
5744
3693
6064
3948
5210
11948 - 4898 =A
6918 - 854 =E
7703 - 497 =T
4932 - 984 =R
10025 - 4815 =S
8070 - 1268 =D
10270 - 2468 =I
6440 - 4399 =L
5327 - 2272 =C
4854 - 1483 =G
8416 - 2587 =F
4295 - 602 =W
9507 - 3763 =O
0/13 letters found
Clue 4

Multiplication facts (1-12)

The thief left footprints in even rows across the sandy cloud. Let us multiply the rows by the columns to count them.

Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.

L
7
66
30
70
10
100
88
L
7
55
22
88
66
66
80
77
108
144
88
7 × 1 =L
6 × 11 =E
10 × 3 =F
7 × 11 =H
10 × 10 =U
12 × 9 =A
2 × 5 =C
2 × 11 =G
8 × 10 =N
5 × 11 =Y
12 × 12 =I
7 × 10 =T
8 × 11 =R
0/13 letters found
Clue 5

Missing addends — the last clue

The cargo scale needs to balance. We know the total weight, so we must find the missing weight of the stolen compass.

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
40 + ___ = 50
14 + ___ = 25
3 + ___ = 7
39 + ___ = 47
5 + ___ = 12
13 + ___ = 22
22 + ___ = 24
40 + ___ = 43
26 + ___ = 38
9 + ___ = 10
30 + ___ = 35
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain blasted away with a Storm Engine, then dropped a Smoke Bomb to hide.
2.The villain sailed the breeze on a Wind Sail, then fired a Net Launcher to escape.
3.The villain sailed the breeze on a Wind Sail, then dropped a Smoke Bomb to hide.
4.The villain blasted away with a Storm Engine, then fired a Net Launcher to escape.
5.The villain swung through the air with a Grapple Hook, then fired a Net Launcher to escape.
6.The villain blasted away with a Storm Engine, then shined a bright Flash Light.
7.The villain zoomed off on a Cloud Glider, then stomped down using Magma Boots.
8.The villain sailed the breeze on a Wind Sail, then slid down a Zip Line.
9.The villain swung through the air with a Grapple Hook, then shined a bright Flash Light.
10.The villain sailed the breeze on a Wind Sail, then shined a bright Flash Light.
11.The villain blasted away with a Storm Engine, then slid down a Zip Line.
12.The villain sped away using a Turbo Prop, then stomped down using Magma Boots.
Solve it

Name the culprit

Choose the one suspect left standing.

About this mystery

Grade level
Grade 4 math
Math topics
Place value, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Missing addends
Reading level
grades 3-4
Theme
The Cloud Kingdom Caper — set in The Floating Cloud Archipelago
Format
Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
Solution
One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects

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