🦕 DinosaursGrade 8Reading: grades 5-6ExponentsMulti-step word problemsSquare rootsPythagorean theoremTwo-step equations
The Great Meso-Dome Heist
Someone has breached the high-tech Mesozoic Dome, tampered with the incubator logs, and stolen a rare, unhatched Golden Raptor Egg! Chief Paleontologist Dr. Aris Thorne needs your team of junior trackers to crack the security codes, solve the math puzzles, and identify the thief before the egg hatches.
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 | Dino-riding Skill | Saddle Gear | Write-up Style | Fossil Dust Color | Dino Countermeasure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lex Murphy | T-Rex Wrangler | Electric Containment Net | Right Handed Writing | Yellow Silt Dust | Super Bright Flares |
| Henry Osborn | Triceratops Charger | Electric Containment Net | Left Handed Writing | Red Clay Dust | Sticky Tar Pellets |
| Roy Andrews | Ankylosaurus Driver | Sonic Dino Caller | Right Handed Writing | Yellow Silt Dust | Super Bright Flares |
| Ian Malcolm | Triceratops Charger | Electric Containment Net | Left Handed Writing | Yellow Silt Dust | High Pitch Dog Whistle |
| Billy Brennan | T-Rex Wrangler | Sonic Dino Caller | Right Handed Writing | Yellow Silt Dust | Super Bright Flares |
| Luis Alvarez | Triceratops Charger | Night Vision Goggles | Left Handed Writing | Yellow Silt Dust | High Pitch Dog Whistle |
| Claire Dearing | Raptor Jockey | Night Vision Goggles | Left Handed Writing | Yellow Silt Dust | Super Bright Flares |
| Paul Sereno | Ankylosaurus Driver | Thermal Heat Sensor | Right Handed Writing | Red Clay Dust | Sticky Tar Pellets |
| Ellie Sattler | Raptor Jockey | Thermal Heat Sensor | Left Handed Writing | Red Clay Dust | Sticky Tar Pellets |
| Sarah Harding | T-Rex Wrangler | Night Vision Goggles | Right Handed Writing | Red Clay Dust | Super Bright Flares |
| Charles Knight | Pterodactyl Glider | Electric Containment Net | Right Handed Writing | Red Clay Dust | High Pitch Dog Whistle |
| Owen Grady | T-Rex Wrangler | Sonic Dino Caller | Left Handed Writing | Yellow Silt Dust | Super Bright Flares |
| Mary Anning | Pterodactyl Glider | Laser Targeting Scope | Right Handed Writing | Yellow Silt Dust | Super Bright Flares |
| Gideon Mantell | Raptor Jockey | Thermal Heat Sensor | Right Handed Writing | Yellow Silt Dust | Sticky Tar Pellets |
| Jack Horner | Ankylosaurus Driver | Laser Targeting Scope | Right Handed Writing | Grey Shale Dust | Sticky Tar Pellets |
| Alan Grant | T-Rex Wrangler | Laser Targeting Scope | Left Handed Writing | Grey Shale Dust | Sticky Tar Pellets |
| Robert Bakker | Triceratops Charger | Thermal Heat Sensor | Left Handed Writing | Grey Shale Dust | High Pitch Dog Whistle |
| Barnum Brown | Pterodactyl Glider | Sonic Dino Caller | Right Handed Writing | Grey Shale Dust | Sticky Tar Pellets |
| Othniel Marsh | Raptor Jockey | Night Vision Goggles | Right Handed Writing | Red Clay Dust | Super Bright Flares |
| Tim Murphy | Raptor Jockey | Night Vision Goggles | Left Handed Writing | Red Clay Dust | Super Bright Flares |
| Patricia Vickers | Triceratops Charger | Sonic Dino Caller | Right Handed Writing | Yellow Silt Dust | Super Bright Flares |
Clue 1
Exponents
We need to pack our tracking kits. To find the path to the incubator, calculate the total weight of our water canteens, fossil brushes, and heavy-duty rope.
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
225
8
4
T
225
8
196
4
361
8
27
256
289
9
4
64
4
400
T
225
36
196
400
289
4
T
225
15^2 =T
2^2 =E
19^2 =F
8^2 =L
20^2 =C
2^3 =H
3^2 =O
16^2 =S
6^2 =R
3^3 =A
17^2 =N
14^2 =I
0/12 letters found
Clue 2
Multi-step word problems
The stolen egg belongs to a line of genetically enhanced raptors. Their cell division grows rapidly, and we must find the total cells after several hours.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
R
27
60
39
31
49
31
73
18
D
E
D
W
R
27
60
49
60
18
39
There were 69 tracking beacons in all. 1 Dino Patrol used 15 tracking beacons each. The other 2 Dino Patrol shared the rest equally. How many tracking beacons did each of the other Dino Patrol get?R
There were 90 dino treats in all. 4 Dino Patrol used 7 dino treats each. The other 2 Dino Patrol shared the rest equally. How many dino treats did each of the other Dino Patrol get?H
There were 286 amber stones in all. 13 amber stones were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 7 Dino Patrol. How many amber stones did each get?G
There were 336 tracking beacons in all. 4 Dino Patrol used 35 tracking beacons each. The other 4 Dino Patrol shared the rest equally. How many tracking beacons did each of the other Dino Patrol get?T
Ranger earned 7 dino treats in each of 3 rounds, plus 48 bonus dino treats. Then 9 dino treats were lost. How many dino treats are left?I
Ranger earned 3 dino treats in each of 2 rounds, plus 80 bonus dino treats. Then 13 dino treats were lost. How many dino treats are left?A
There were 161 raptor claws in all. 35 raptor claws were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 7 Dino Patrol. How many raptor claws did each get?N
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Square roots
The thief ran across a perfectly square dinosaur footprint field. To find the length of one side of the field, we must calculate the square root of its total area.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
B
22
15
2
18
5
17
6
20
21
15
4
14
B
22
20
2
12
10
4
10
17
5
4
B
22
4
21
14
17
sqrt(484) =B
sqrt(100) =D
sqrt(324) =G
sqrt(16) =E
sqrt(36) =F
sqrt(4) =I
sqrt(25) =H
sqrt(225) =R
sqrt(144) =N
sqrt(196) =S
sqrt(441) =A
sqrt(289) =T
sqrt(400) =L
0/13 letters found
Clue 4
Pythagorean theorem
A stray Stegosaurus blocked the main path, forcing us to take a diagonal shortcut. Find the shortest distance across the rectangular meadow to catch the trail.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Y
39
30
50
50
52
34
15
87
50
29
26
10
15
29
15
68
52
29
29
30
26
52
65
37
52
40
29
legs 15 and 36, hypotenuse =Y
legs 16 and 30, hypotenuse =W
legs 20 and 48, hypotenuse =O
legs 24 and 32, hypotenuse =A
legs 30 and 40, hypotenuse =L
legs 32 and 60, hypotenuse =P
legs 25 and 60, hypotenuse =N
legs 60 and 63, hypotenuse =I
legs 20 and 21, hypotenuse =T
legs 10 and 24, hypotenuse =D
legs 6 and 8, hypotenuse =U
legs 12 and 35, hypotenuse =C
legs 18 and 24, hypotenuse =E
legs 9 and 12, hypotenuse =S
0/14 letters found
Clue 5
Two-step equations — the last clue
Our tracking drones are running low on battery. Solve for the remaining flight hours before they completely run out of power in the deep jungle.
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
6x + 7 = 67, x = ?
4x + 9 = 21, x = ?
4x + 11 = 55, x = ?
2x + 9 = 33, x = ?
6x + 12 = 24, x = ?
5x + 8 = 48, x = ?
4x + 8 = 24, x = ?
2x + 1 = 13, x = ?
3x + 4 = 25, x = ?
4x + 6 = 42, x = ?
6x + 7 = 37, x = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain crashed through the stone barrier with an ankylosaurus, then activated a sonic caller to distract the herd.
2.The villain rode a roaring T-Rex through the gates, then scanned the dark incubators with a thermal sensor.
3.The villain rode a roaring T-Rex through the gates, then activated a sonic caller to distract the herd.
4.The villain sprinted past sensors on a swift raptor, then navigated the dark tunnels with night goggles.
5.The villain crashed through the stone barrier with an ankylosaurus, then deployed an electric net to trap the guard.
6.The villain sprinted past sensors on a swift raptor, then activated a sonic caller to distract the herd.
7.The villain rode a roaring T-Rex through the gates, then aimed a laser scope to blind the cameras.
8.The villain smashed the security fences with a triceratops, then deployed an electric net to trap the guard.
9.The villain sprinted past sensors on a swift raptor, then aimed a laser scope to blind the cameras.
10.The villain smashed the security fences with a triceratops, then activated a sonic caller to distract the herd.
11.The villain swooped down from the cliffs on a pterodactyl, then aimed a laser scope to blind the cameras.
12.The villain crashed through the stone barrier with an ankylosaurus, then scanned the dark incubators with a thermal sensor.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Great Meso-Dome Heist
Culprit: Roy Andrews (Ankylosaurus Driver · Sonic Dino Caller · Right Handed Writing · Yellow Silt Dust · Super Bright Flares)
- Clue 1 (Exponents): "THE THIEF HAS NO ELECTRIC NET"15^2 = 225 (T) · 2^2 = 4 (E) · 19^2 = 361 (F) · 8^2 = 64 (L) · 20^2 = 400 (C) · 2^3 = 8 (H) · 3^2 = 9 (O) · 16^2 = 256 (S) · 6^2 = 36 (R) · 3^3 = 27 (A) · 17^2 = 289 (N) · 14^2 = 196 (I)
- Clue 2 (Multi-step word problems): "RIGHT HANDED WRITING"There were 69 tracking beacons in all. 1 Dino Patrol used 15 tracking beacons each. The other 2 Dino Patrol shared the rest equally. How many tracking beacons did each of the other Dino Patrol get? = 27 (R) · There were 90 dino treats in all. 4 Dino Patrol used 7 dino treats each. The other 2 Dino Patrol shared the rest equally. How many dino treats did each of the other Dino Patrol get? = 31 (H) · There were 286 amber stones in all. 13 amber stones were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 7 Dino Patrol. How many amber stones did each get? = 39 (G) · There were 336 tracking beacons in all. 4 Dino Patrol used 35 tracking beacons each. The other 4 Dino Patrol shared the rest equally. How many tracking beacons did each of the other Dino Patrol get? = 49 (T) · Ranger earned 7 dino treats in each of 3 rounds, plus 48 bonus dino treats. Then 9 dino treats were lost. How many dino treats are left? = 60 (I) · Ranger earned 3 dino treats in each of 2 rounds, plus 80 bonus dino treats. Then 13 dino treats were lost. How many dino treats are left? = 73 (A) · There were 161 raptor claws in all. 35 raptor claws were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 7 Dino Patrol. How many raptor claws did each get? = 18 (N)
- Clue 3 (Square roots): "BRIGHT FLARES BLINDED THE BEAST"sqrt(484) = 22 (B) · sqrt(100) = 10 (D) · sqrt(324) = 18 (G) · sqrt(16) = 4 (E) · sqrt(36) = 6 (F) · sqrt(4) = 2 (I) · sqrt(25) = 5 (H) · sqrt(225) = 15 (R) · sqrt(144) = 12 (N) · sqrt(196) = 14 (S) · sqrt(441) = 21 (A) · sqrt(289) = 17 (T) · sqrt(400) = 20 (L)
- Clue 4 (Pythagorean theorem): "YELLOW SILT DUST SPOTTED ON COAT"legs 15 and 36, hypotenuse = 39 (Y) · legs 16 and 30, hypotenuse = 34 (W) · legs 20 and 48, hypotenuse = 52 (O) · legs 24 and 32, hypotenuse = 40 (A) · legs 30 and 40, hypotenuse = 50 (L) · legs 32 and 60, hypotenuse = 68 (P) · legs 25 and 60, hypotenuse = 65 (N) · legs 60 and 63, hypotenuse = 87 (I) · legs 20 and 21, hypotenuse = 29 (T) · legs 10 and 24, hypotenuse = 26 (D) · legs 6 and 8, hypotenuse = 10 (U) · legs 12 and 35, hypotenuse = 37 (C) · legs 18 and 24, hypotenuse = 30 (E) · legs 9 and 12, hypotenuse = 15 (S)
- Clue 5 (Two-step equations): surviving statement (box 1) → Roy Andrews6x + 7 = 67, x = 10 · 4x + 9 = 21, x = 3 · 4x + 11 = 55, x = 11 · 2x + 9 = 33, x = 12 · 6x + 12 = 24, x = 2 · 5x + 8 = 48, x = 8 · 4x + 8 = 24, x = 4 · 2x + 1 = 13, x = 6 · 3x + 4 = 25, x = 7 · 4x + 6 = 42, x = 9 · 6x + 7 = 37, x = 5
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 8 math
- Math topics
- Exponents, Multi-step word problems, Square roots, Pythagorean theorem, Two-step equations
- Reading level
- grades 5-6
- Theme
- The Great Meso-Dome Heist — set in Mesozoic Meso-Dome Research Reserve
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects