🔎 Missing cupcake schoolGrade 1Reading: grades 1-2AdditionSubtractionSkip countingPlace valueMissing addends
The Great Cupcake Caper
The school display case is empty! The beautiful giant prize cupcake has vanished. Only a tiny trail of sweet crumbs is left on the floor. We must find the Cupcake Snatcher before the lunchtime party starts!
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 | Baking Specialty | Baking Tool | Uniform Clue | Hair Powder Smudge | Secret Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker Bonnie | strawberry glaze | red timer | wears apron | brown sugar | cold milk |
| Chef Cara | lemon zest | blue spatula | wears apron | pink glitter | loud bells |
| Chef Craig | lemon zest | silver whisk | wears chef hat | pink glitter | cold milk |
| Chef Charles | vanilla frosting | green rolling pin | wears chef hat | brown sugar | cold milk |
| Baker Becky | strawberry glaze | red timer | wears apron | white powder | loud bells |
| Baker Billy | vanilla frosting | silver whisk | wears apron | white powder | loud bells |
| Sweets Sandy | blueberry whip | blue spatula | wears apron | pink glitter | cold milk |
| Sweets Sally | lemon zest | blue spatula | wears apron | brown sugar | cold milk |
| Baker Brenda | strawberry glaze | red timer | wears chef hat | white powder | cold milk |
| Baker Barney | lemon zest | silver whisk | wears apron | pink glitter | bright light |
| Cookie Clara | strawberry glaze | green rolling pin | wears apron | pink glitter | bright light |
| Baker Brady | strawberry glaze | red timer | wears chef hat | brown sugar | cold milk |
| Sweets Susie | vanilla frosting | silver whisk | wears apron | pink glitter | bright light |
| Chef Chloe | lemon zest | silver whisk | wears apron | white powder | loud bells |
| Chef Colin | lemon zest | red timer | wears chef hat | brown sugar | cold milk |
| Sweets Sam | chocolate sprinkles | red timer | wears chef hat | white powder | loud bells |
| Pastry Pam | vanilla frosting | yellow piping bag | wears chef hat | brown sugar | cold milk |
| Baker Ben | strawberry glaze | green rolling pin | wears chef hat | brown sugar | loud bells |
| Sweets Stella | lemon zest | blue spatula | wears apron | white powder | loud bells |
| Chef Chris | chocolate sprinkles | green rolling pin | wears chef hat | brown sugar | cold milk |
| Baker Bobby | chocolate sprinkles | silver whisk | wears apron | brown sugar | cold milk |
Clue 1
Addition
We count the cupcakes left on the tray. We add the vanilla ones and the chocolate ones together. This math helps us find the first baking tool 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.
T
14
10
7
13
9
6
T
14
12
10
7
8
15
18
7
13
9
18
T
14
16
13
7
6
3
7
19
19
18
11
2
17
2
17
9
5
4
6
5
7 + 7 =T
8 + 7 =D
4 + 9 =S
8 + 9 =I
9 + 10 =L
7 + 9 =U
1 + 1 =P
1 + 4 =G
1 + 2 =Y
2 + 4 =A
3 + 5 =R
8 + 10 =O
1 + 3 =B
4 + 6 =H
7 + 2 =N
4 + 3 =E
7 + 5 =C
3 + 8 =W
0/18 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
Some baking mitts are missing from the kitchen wall. We subtract the ones that are left to find how many were taken. This points us to a hair 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.
T
19
5
8
18
16
14
T
19
4
5
8
13
15
8
14
13
18
14
T
19
14
1
1
15
5
7
T
19
8
4
5
8
9
5
14
T
19
20 - 1 =T
18 - 3 =W
16 - 3 =R
16 - 2 =A
19 - 1 =S
9 - 1 =E
10 - 6 =C
8 - 7 =L
19 - 3 =N
10 - 3 =I
17 - 8 =F
9 - 4 =H
0/12 letters found
Clue 3
Skip counting
We see lines of sweet star cookies on the table. Let us skip count them by twos to see what the snatcher wore!
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
90
65
33
27
8
26
T
90
35
65
33
12
12
36
8
27
26
45
26
100
22
12
70
40
35
70
28
15
40
140
28
25
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110T
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, ___, 15, 18R
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55W
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50M
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39E
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33S
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35K
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120Y
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42U
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12N
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75H
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32L
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25D
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26F
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, ___, 80, 90O
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30A
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45C
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160I
0/18 letters found
Clue 4
Place value
We find a big box of ten shiny sprinkles and some single ones. Grouping them by tens helps us find how to scare the snatcher away!
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
37
91
T
74
42
20
82
37
20
96
34
42
36
70
21
44
61
75
20
42
39
48
19
91
44
What number has 7 tens and 4 ones?T
What number has 4 tens and 4 ones?S
What number has 9 tens and 1 one?E
What number has 2 tens and 0 ones?A
What number has 4 tens and 8 ones?I
What number has 7 tens and 0 ones?W
What number has 3 tens and 6 ones?O
What number has 3 tens and 9 ones?P
What number has 7 tens and 5 ones?G
What number has 3 tens and 4 ones?B
What number has 8 tens and 2 ones?Y
What number has 3 tens and 7 ones?H
What number has 2 tens and 1 one?N
What number has 1 ten and 9 ones?L
What number has 9 tens and 6 ones?D
What number has 6 tens and 1 one?U
What number has 4 tens and 2 ones?R
0/17 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
The chef needs twelve sweet cupcakes but only has nine. How many more do we need to bake? Solving this missing number gives us the last 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!
Step 1 — solve these
8 + ___ = 13
6 + ___ = 10
1 + ___ = 3
10 + ___ = 17
3 + ___ = 13
5 + ___ = 6
8 + ___ = 17
3 + ___ = 14
2 + ___ = 10
9 + ___ = 12
2 + ___ = 14
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain snatches the cherry on top, then hides in the pantry.
2.The villain licks the spoon clean, then sneaks behind the oven.
3.The villain eats the frosting first, then giggles in the kitchen.
4.The villain steals the sprinkles, then sneaks behind the oven.
5.The villain eats the frosting first, then jumps out the window.
6.The villain snatches the cherry on top, then jumps out the window.
7.The villain scoops up the glaze, then sneaks behind the oven.
8.The villain steals the sprinkles, then jumps out the window.
9.The villain scoops up the glaze, then jumps out the window.
10.The villain licks the spoon clean, then giggles in the kitchen.
11.The villain licks the spoon clean, then jumps out the window.
12.The villain snatches the cherry on top, then giggles in the kitchen.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Great Cupcake Caper
Culprit: Chef Chris (chocolate sprinkles · green rolling pin · wears chef hat · brown sugar · cold milk)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE SNATCHER DOES NOT USE A YELLOW PIPING BAG"7 + 7 = 14 (T) · 8 + 7 = 15 (D) · 4 + 9 = 13 (S) · 8 + 9 = 17 (I) · 9 + 10 = 19 (L) · 7 + 9 = 16 (U) · 1 + 1 = 2 (P) · 1 + 4 = 5 (G) · 1 + 2 = 3 (Y) · 2 + 4 = 6 (A) · 3 + 5 = 8 (R) · 8 + 10 = 18 (O) · 1 + 3 = 4 (B) · 4 + 6 = 10 (H) · 7 + 2 = 9 (N) · 4 + 3 = 7 (E) · 7 + 5 = 12 (C) · 3 + 8 = 11 (W)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "THE SNATCHER WEARS A TALL WHITE CHEF HAT"20 - 1 = 19 (T) · 18 - 3 = 15 (W) · 16 - 3 = 13 (R) · 16 - 2 = 14 (A) · 19 - 1 = 18 (S) · 9 - 1 = 8 (E) · 10 - 6 = 4 (C) · 8 - 7 = 1 (L) · 19 - 3 = 16 (N) · 10 - 3 = 7 (I) · 17 - 8 = 9 (F) · 9 - 4 = 5 (H)
- Clue 3 (Skip counting): "THE SNATCHER RUNS AWAY FROM COLD MILK"Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110 = 90 (T) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, ___, 15, 18 = 12 (R) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55 = 45 (W) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50 = 40 (M) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (E) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33 = 27 (S) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (K) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120 = 100 (Y) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (U) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12 = 8 (N) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75 = 65 (H) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (L) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25 = 15 (D) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26 = 22 (F) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, ___, 80, 90 = 70 (O) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30 = 26 (A) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (C) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160 = 140 (I)
- Clue 4 (Place value): "THE TRAY HAD BROWN SUGAR PILES"What number has 7 tens and 4 ones? = 74 (T) · What number has 4 tens and 4 ones? = 44 (S) · What number has 9 tens and 1 one? = 91 (E) · What number has 2 tens and 0 ones? = 20 (A) · What number has 4 tens and 8 ones? = 48 (I) · What number has 7 tens and 0 ones? = 70 (W) · What number has 3 tens and 6 ones? = 36 (O) · What number has 3 tens and 9 ones? = 39 (P) · What number has 7 tens and 5 ones? = 75 (G) · What number has 3 tens and 4 ones? = 34 (B) · What number has 8 tens and 2 ones? = 82 (Y) · What number has 3 tens and 7 ones? = 37 (H) · What number has 2 tens and 1 one? = 21 (N) · What number has 1 ten and 9 ones? = 19 (L) · What number has 9 tens and 6 ones? = 96 (D) · What number has 6 tens and 1 one? = 61 (U) · What number has 4 tens and 2 ones? = 42 (R)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 6) → Chef Chris8 + ___ = 13 = 5 · 6 + ___ = 10 = 4 · 1 + ___ = 3 = 2 · 10 + ___ = 17 = 7 · 3 + ___ = 13 = 10 · 5 + ___ = 6 = 1 · 8 + ___ = 17 = 9 · 3 + ___ = 14 = 11 · 2 + ___ = 10 = 8 · 9 + ___ = 12 = 3 · 2 + ___ = 14 = 12
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 1 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Subtraction, Skip counting, Place value, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 1-2
- Theme
- The Great Cupcake Caper — set in Sprinkle Cove Academy
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects