⚽ FootballGrade 10Reading: grades 7-9Pythagorean theoremWord problemsBar modelsSquare rootsDivision
The Golden Whistle Heist
Just hours before the draft, the legendary Golden Whistle was stolen from the central display case! A mysterious Rogue Coordinator has infiltrated the museum, leaving scrambled playbooks in their wake. We must analyze the evidence to save the football season.
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 Play | Draft Day Gear | Throwing Hand | Helmet Sticker | Defensive Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | Option Run | Laser Visor | Left-Handed | Skull Sticker | Zone Coverage |
| Stefon Diggs | Flea Flicker | Smart Watch | Right-Handed | Star Sticker | Zone Coverage |
| Dak Prescott | Option Run | Smart Watch | Right-Handed | Skull Sticker | Man Coverage |
| Travis Kelce | Blitz Package | Smart Watch | Right-Handed | Lightning Bolt Sticker | Double Team |
| Russell Wilson | Flea Flicker | Custom Playbook | Right-Handed | Star Sticker | Zone Coverage |
| Justin Jefferson | Screen Pass | Laser Visor | Left-Handed | Lightning Bolt Sticker | Double Team |
| TJ Watt | Hail Mary Pass | Heated Parka | Right-Handed | Star Sticker | Zone Coverage |
| Tom Brady | Hail Mary Pass | Laser Visor | Right-Handed | Skull Sticker | Zone Coverage |
| Jalen Hurts | Blitz Package | Custom Playbook | Left-Handed | Skull Sticker | Double Team |
| Saquon Barkley | Option Run | Smart Watch | Right-Handed | Star Sticker | Double Team |
| Joe Burrow | Option Run | Heated Parka | Right-Handed | Star Sticker | Zone Coverage |
| Lamar Jackson | Hail Mary Pass | Heated Parka | Right-Handed | Skull Sticker | Zone Coverage |
| Peyton Manning | Screen Pass | Laser Visor | Right-Handed | Star Sticker | Man Coverage |
| Derrick Henry | Hail Mary Pass | Laser Visor | Right-Handed | Star Sticker | Zone Coverage |
| Davante Adams | Screen Pass | Golden Cleats | Left-Handed | Star Sticker | Zone Coverage |
| Micah Parsons | Option Run | Golden Cleats | Right-Handed | Star Sticker | Man Coverage |
| Nick Chubb | Flea Flicker | Custom Playbook | Left-Handed | Skull Sticker | Man Coverage |
| Tyreek Hill | Blitz Package | Golden Cleats | Right-Handed | Lightning Bolt Sticker | Zone Coverage |
| Christian McCaffrey | Blitz Package | Golden Cleats | Right-Handed | Star Sticker | Double Team |
| Aaron Rodgers | Blitz Package | Smart Watch | Left-Handed | Lightning Bolt Sticker | Double Team |
| Josh Allen | Flea Flicker | Golden Cleats | Right-Handed | Skull Sticker | Double Team |
Clue 1
Pythagorean theorem
The coaches are mapping out player workloads on a giant whiteboard using long rectangular bar models. By comparing the colored blocks of turf-time, we can decipher a hidden message about the thief's gear.
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
85
75
41
T
85
75
26
41
82
5
123
41
74
13
123
T
85
34
74
41
17
116
34
74
T
85
123
15
125
10
17
68
58
123
123
50
legs 40 and 75, hypotenuse =T
legs 18 and 80, hypotenuse =F
legs 80 and 84, hypotenuse =C
legs 24 and 70, hypotenuse =S
legs 8 and 15, hypotenuse =A
legs 27 and 120, hypotenuse =O
legs 9 and 12, hypotenuse =M
legs 6 and 8, hypotenuse =L
legs 40 and 42, hypotenuse =B
legs 30 and 40, hypotenuse =K
legs 3 and 4, hypotenuse =D
legs 16 and 30, hypotenuse =U
legs 10 and 24, hypotenuse =I
legs 35 and 120, hypotenuse =P
legs 5 and 12, hypotenuse =N
legs 9 and 40, hypotenuse =E
legs 21 and 72, hypotenuse =H
legs 32 and 60, hypotenuse =Y
0/18 letters found
Clue 2
Word problems
The head coach left a complex word problem in the locker room detailing total passing yards and team touchdowns. Solving this math riddle will point us toward the suspect's physical profile.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
R
42
83
113
46
82
46
14
70
D
E
D
There were 74 cleats. 32 were used up. How many cleats are left?R
Quarterback found 4 whistles yesterday and 42 more today. How many whistles in all?H
Quarterback found 34 playbooks yesterday and 49 more today. How many playbooks in all?I
Quarterback found 60 playbooks yesterday and 53 more today. How many playbooks in all?G
Quarterback found 29 cleats yesterday and 53 more today. How many cleats in all?T
Quarterback found 6 footballs yesterday and 8 more today. How many footballs in all?A
There were 93 cleats. 23 were used up. How many cleats are left?N
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Bar model word problems
A receiver ran a sharp diagonal route across the field, forming a perfect right triangle with the sidelines. Using the lengths of the two legs, we can calculate the hypotenuse and unlock the next clue.
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 .
Z
94
141
108
142
140
141
32
142
54
A
G
142
Quarterback shares 188 playbooks equally among 2 teams. How many playbooks does each team get?
draw a bar model
Answer:→Z
One group collected 123 whistles and another group collected 19 whistles. How many whistles in all?
draw a bar model
Answer:→E
Quarterback has 9 times as many playbooks as a teammate. The teammate has 12 playbooks. How many playbooks does quarterback have?
draw a bar model
Answer:→N
There were 180 helmets in all. 40 helmets were used. How many helmets are left?
draw a bar model
Answer:→C
Quarterback has 216 footballs, packed 4 to a bag. How many bags can be filled?
draw a bar model
Answer:→R
The red team has 147 footballs and the blue team has 6 footballs. How many more footballs does the red team have?
draw a bar model
Answer:→O
Quarterback shares 192 whistles equally among 6 teams. How many whistles does each team get?
draw a bar model
Answer:→V
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Square roots
The groundskeeper marked off a perfectly square practice grid in the endzone. By finding the square root of its total area, we get the exact yardage marker where the thief dropped a 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.
W
21
22
10
3
6
13
5
7
12
20
7
9
12
20
15
8
19
22
9
3
13
20
18
22
20
6
9
10
sqrt(441) =W
sqrt(169) =N
sqrt(324) =H
sqrt(225) =I
sqrt(49) =A
sqrt(361) =K
sqrt(9) =O
sqrt(25) =D
sqrt(81) =R
sqrt(100) =F
sqrt(64) =C
sqrt(484) =E
sqrt(400) =T
sqrt(144) =S
sqrt(36) =U
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
The offensive line needs to divide up the recovery drinks and energy bars equally among the five squads. Splitting these numbers gives us the final detail we need to catch the rogue coordinator.
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
60 ÷ 6 = ?
5 ÷ 1 = ?
36 ÷ 3 = ?
27 ÷ 3 = ?
9 ÷ 9 = ?
22 ÷ 11 = ?
63 ÷ 9 = ?
12 ÷ 2 = ?
18 ÷ 6 = ?
33 ÷ 3 = ?
48 ÷ 6 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain executes a sneaky Option Run, then scribbles in a Custom Playbook.
2.The villain calls a massive Blitz Package, then scribbles in a Custom Playbook.
3.The villain calls a massive Blitz Package, then sprints away in Golden Cleats.
4.The villain executes a sneaky Option Run, then hides inside a giant Heated Parka.
5.The villain pulls off a tricky Flea Flicker, then checks stats on a Smart Watch.
6.The villain launches a wild Hail Mary Pass, then scribbles in a Custom Playbook.
7.The villain executes a sneaky Option Run, then sprints away in Golden Cleats.
8.The villain deploys a sudden Screen Pass, then hides inside a giant Heated Parka.
9.The villain deploys a sudden Screen Pass, then sprints away in Golden Cleats.
10.The villain launches a wild Hail Mary Pass, then glares through a Laser Visor.
11.The villain launches a wild Hail Mary Pass, then sprints away in Golden Cleats.
12.The villain launches a wild Hail Mary Pass, then hides inside a giant Heated Parka.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Golden Whistle Heist
Culprit: Joe Burrow (Option Run · Heated Parka · Right-Handed · Star Sticker · Zone Coverage)
- Clue 1 (Pythagorean theorem): "THE THIEF DOES NOT USE A CUSTOM PLAYBOOK"legs 40 and 75, hypotenuse = 85 (T) · legs 18 and 80, hypotenuse = 82 (F) · legs 80 and 84, hypotenuse = 116 (C) · legs 24 and 70, hypotenuse = 74 (S) · legs 8 and 15, hypotenuse = 17 (A) · legs 27 and 120, hypotenuse = 123 (O) · legs 9 and 12, hypotenuse = 15 (M) · legs 6 and 8, hypotenuse = 10 (L) · legs 40 and 42, hypotenuse = 58 (B) · legs 30 and 40, hypotenuse = 50 (K) · legs 3 and 4, hypotenuse = 5 (D) · legs 16 and 30, hypotenuse = 34 (U) · legs 10 and 24, hypotenuse = 26 (I) · legs 35 and 120, hypotenuse = 125 (P) · legs 5 and 12, hypotenuse = 13 (N) · legs 9 and 40, hypotenuse = 41 (E) · legs 21 and 72, hypotenuse = 75 (H) · legs 32 and 60, hypotenuse = 68 (Y)
- Clue 2 (Word problems): "RIGHT HANDED"There were 74 cleats. 32 were used up. How many cleats are left? = 42 (R) · Quarterback found 4 whistles yesterday and 42 more today. How many whistles in all? = 46 (H) · Quarterback found 34 playbooks yesterday and 49 more today. How many playbooks in all? = 83 (I) · Quarterback found 60 playbooks yesterday and 53 more today. How many playbooks in all? = 113 (G) · Quarterback found 29 cleats yesterday and 53 more today. How many cleats in all? = 82 (T) · Quarterback found 6 footballs yesterday and 8 more today. How many footballs in all? = 14 (A) · There were 93 cleats. 23 were used up. How many cleats are left? = 70 (N)
- Clue 3 (Bar model word problems): "ZONE COVERAGE"Quarterback shares 188 playbooks equally among 2 teams. How many playbooks does each team get? = 94 (Z) · One group collected 123 whistles and another group collected 19 whistles. How many whistles in all? = 142 (E) · Quarterback has 9 times as many playbooks as a teammate. The teammate has 12 playbooks. How many playbooks does quarterback have? = 108 (N) · There were 180 helmets in all. 40 helmets were used. How many helmets are left? = 140 (C) · Quarterback has 216 footballs, packed 4 to a bag. How many bags can be filled? = 54 (R) · The red team has 147 footballs and the blue team has 6 footballs. How many more footballs does the red team have? = 141 (O) · Quarterback shares 192 whistles equally among 6 teams. How many whistles does each team get? = 32 (V)
- Clue 4 (Square roots): "WE FOUND A STAR STICKER ON THE TURF"sqrt(441) = 21 (W) · sqrt(169) = 13 (N) · sqrt(324) = 18 (H) · sqrt(225) = 15 (I) · sqrt(49) = 7 (A) · sqrt(361) = 19 (K) · sqrt(9) = 3 (O) · sqrt(25) = 5 (D) · sqrt(81) = 9 (R) · sqrt(100) = 10 (F) · sqrt(64) = 8 (C) · sqrt(484) = 22 (E) · sqrt(400) = 20 (T) · sqrt(144) = 12 (S) · sqrt(36) = 6 (U)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 4) → Joe Burrow60 ÷ 6 = 10 · 5 ÷ 1 = 5 · 36 ÷ 3 = 12 · 27 ÷ 3 = 9 · 9 ÷ 9 = 1 · 22 ÷ 11 = 2 · 63 ÷ 9 = 7 · 12 ÷ 2 = 6 · 18 ÷ 6 = 3 · 33 ÷ 3 = 11 · 48 ÷ 6 = 8
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 10 math
- Math topics
- Pythagorean theorem, Word problems, Bar models, Square roots, Division
- Reading level
- grades 7-9
- Theme
- The Golden Whistle Heist — set in The Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects