The Great Catnip Caper
A sneaky cat burglar has swiped the Golden Catnip Mouse right out of its glass case! Chief Detective Whiskers needs your help to crack the codes and catch the culprit before they escape the city.
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
| Name | Cat Skill | Pocket Toy | Favorite Paw | Fur Pattern | Secret Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felix | super purr | box trap | left pawed | calico patch | water sprayer |
| Nala | quick claw | box trap | left pawed | calico patch | water sprayer |
| Milo | high jump | yarn throw | right pawed | orange stripe | belly rub |
| Boots | quick claw | yarn throw | right pawed | midnight black | water sprayer |
| Chloe | high jump | yarn throw | left pawed | calico patch | belly rub |
| Duchess | quick claw | box trap | left pawed | orange stripe | water sprayer |
| Garbanzo | night vision | yarn throw | right pawed | orange stripe | belly rub |
| Garfield | super purr | yarn throw | right pawed | calico patch | water sprayer |
| Cheshire | super purr | laser pointer | left pawed | midnight black | belly rub |
| Mittens | silent sneak | box trap | right pawed | midnight black | water sprayer |
| Socks | silent sneak | milk splash | right pawed | calico patch | water sprayer |
| Figaro | silent sneak | yarn throw | left pawed | orange stripe | belly rub |
| Whiskers | night vision | catnip spray | right pawed | calico patch | water sprayer |
| Oliver | night vision | box trap | left pawed | calico patch | belly rub |
| Salem | super purr | milk splash | right pawed | orange stripe | squeaky toy |
| Simba | super purr | laser pointer | left pawed | calico patch | belly rub |
| Tigger | silent sneak | yarn throw | right pawed | calico patch | belly rub |
| Smokey | high jump | laser pointer | left pawed | calico patch | squeaky toy |
| Sylvester | quick claw | milk splash | left pawed | calico patch | belly rub |
| Puss | super purr | laser pointer | left pawed | orange stripe | belly rub |
| Morris | silent sneak | yarn throw | left pawed | calico patch | belly rub |
Multiplication facts (1-12)
The museum guard found rows of empty cat food cans left behind. Let's multiply the rows to find out how many cans the burglar ate!
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Rounding
We check the security laser display, but the screen only shows rounded numbers. Round the distance of the tracks to get a clean signal!
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Addition
The curator is adding up the recovered cat toys. Help count the shiny bells and plastic mice to get our next big lead!
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Subtraction
Someone stole tuna cans from the pantry! Subtract the leftover cans from the starting total to find out how many are missing.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
We found a pile of fish treats to share equally among the detective pups. Divide them up to unlock the final clue!
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!
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Great Catnip Caper
- Clue 1 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE BURGLAR DOES NOT USE A MILK SPLASH"1 × 9 = 9 (T) · 10 × 8 = 80 (P) · 12 × 2 = 24 (G) · 1 × 7 = 7 (N) · 3 × 9 = 27 (U) · 5 × 9 = 45 (O) · 9 × 9 = 81 (B) · 5 × 1 = 5 (H) · 2 × 11 = 22 (M) · 6 × 12 = 72 (S) · 10 × 5 = 50 (K) · 2 × 9 = 18 (A) · 8 × 2 = 16 (I) · 7 × 8 = 56 (E) · 11 × 6 = 66 (D) · 11 × 1 = 11 (R) · 7 × 5 = 35 (L)
- Clue 2 (Rounding): "THE CLAW PRINTS SHOW A LEFT PAW"Round 679 to the nearest hundred = 700 (T) · Round 4,273 to the nearest hundred = 4300 (F) · Round 67 to the nearest ten = 70 (P) · Round 945 to the nearest hundred = 900 (L) · Round 48 to the nearest ten = 50 (N) · Round 7,199 to the nearest thousand = 7000 (A) · Round 32 to the nearest ten = 30 (E) · Round 426 to the nearest ten = 430 (I) · Round 4,659 to the nearest thousand = 5000 (S) · Round 126 to the nearest ten = 130 (W) · Round 1,681 to the nearest hundred = 1700 (C) · Round 1,332 to the nearest hundred = 1300 (R) · Round 374 to the nearest ten = 370 (H) · Round 2,744 to the nearest thousand = 3000 (O)
- Clue 3 (Addition): "THE SNEAK RUNS FROM A BELLY RUB"3782 + 3145 = 6927 (T) · 5150 + 3382 = 8532 (K) · 3588 + 3989 = 7577 (O) · 2481 + 5462 = 7943 (N) · 2131 + 3540 = 5671 (E) · 1727 + 1563 = 3290 (B) · 1885 + 3990 = 5875 (F) · 3102 + 4270 = 7372 (H) · 4406 + 2443 = 6849 (Y) · 1405 + 1019 = 2424 (S) · 1951 + 2062 = 4013 (R) · 2817 + 1869 = 4686 (M) · 1247 + 2236 = 3483 (L) · 3911 + 1765 = 5676 (U) · 933 + 2083 = 3016 (A)
- Clue 4 (Subtraction): "WE FOUND A CALICO PATCH FUR"5400 - 2674 = 2726 (W) · 13474 - 4652 = 8822 (I) · 9480 - 3722 = 5758 (T) · 3592 - 226 = 3366 (P) · 7055 - 976 = 6079 (L) · 8070 - 1312 = 6758 (O) · 3700 - 906 = 2794 (R) · 2624 - 92 = 2532 (A) · 7376 - 3757 = 3619 (D) · 5241 - 3239 = 2002 (H) · 2955 - 1583 = 1372 (N) · 10155 - 3441 = 6714 (F) · 10751 - 2002 = 8749 (C) · 6109 - 324 = 5785 (E) · 3646 - 1041 = 2605 (U)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 1) → Simba100 ÷ 10 = 10 · 45 ÷ 9 = 5 · 48 ÷ 8 = 6 · 72 ÷ 6 = 12 · 99 ÷ 11 = 9 · 49 ÷ 7 = 7 · 20 ÷ 10 = 2 · 99 ÷ 9 = 11 · 24 ÷ 3 = 8 · 48 ÷ 12 = 4 · 15 ÷ 5 = 3
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 4 math
- Math topics
- Multiplication, Rounding, Addition, Subtraction, Division
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Great Catnip Caper — set in the Whisker Museum of Fine Tuna
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects
