🐱 CatsGrade 7Reading: grades 5-6IntegersPercentagesOrder of operationsExponentsTwo-step equations
The Great Whisker City Heist
A priceless golden tuna statue has been swiped from the Whisker City Museum! Detective, you must comb through the clues, interview the feline suspects, and find the sneaky catburglar before they make off with the prize.
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 | Super Skill | Favorite Toy | Signature Habit | Fur Color | Distraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiskers | Silent Prowling | Laser Pointer | Uses Right Paw | Fluffy Calico Fur | Spray Bottle Mist |
| Smoky | Laser Chasing | Crinkle Ball | Uses Right Paw | Orange Tabby Fur | Rustling Paper Bag |
| Cleo | Box Squeezing | Squeaky Mouse | Uses Right Paw | Orange Tabby Fur | Rustling Paper Bag |
| Morris | Laser Chasing | Laser Pointer | Uses Left Paw | Sleek Tuxedo Fur | Smelly Tuna Scent |
| Toulouse | Laser Chasing | Crinkle Ball | Uses Left Paw | Fluffy Calico Fur | Spray Bottle Mist |
| Duchess | High Jumping | Crinkle Ball | Uses Right Paw | Sleek Tuxedo Fur | Smelly Tuna Scent |
| Berlioz | Box Squeezing | Feather Wand | Uses Left Paw | Sleek Tuxedo Fur | Spray Bottle Mist |
| Bella | Box Squeezing | Catnip Cushion | Uses Left Paw | Sleek Tuxedo Fur | Smelly Tuna Scent |
| Cheshire | Laser Chasing | Laser Pointer | Uses Right Paw | Sleek Tuxedo Fur | Spray Bottle Mist |
| Garfield | Laser Chasing | Squeaky Mouse | Uses Left Paw | Sleek Tuxedo Fur | Spray Bottle Mist |
| Tom | Yarn Tangling | Laser Pointer | Uses Right Paw | Orange Tabby Fur | Smelly Tuna Scent |
| Simba | High Jumping | Feather Wand | Uses Left Paw | Fluffy Calico Fur | Spray Bottle Mist |
| Milo | Laser Chasing | Catnip Cushion | Uses Right Paw | Fluffy Calico Fur | Smelly Tuna Scent |
| Boots | Box Squeezing | Crinkle Ball | Uses Right Paw | Sleek Tuxedo Fur | Rustling Paper Bag |
| Felix | Yarn Tangling | Squeaky Mouse | Uses Right Paw | Fluffy Calico Fur | Rustling Paper Bag |
| Sylvester | High Jumping | Squeaky Mouse | Uses Left Paw | Orange Tabby Fur | Smelly Tuna Scent |
| Puss | Yarn Tangling | Feather Wand | Uses Left Paw | Sleek Tuxedo Fur | Smelly Tuna Scent |
| Salem | Yarn Tangling | Crinkle Ball | Uses Left Paw | Sleek Tuxedo Fur | Rustling Paper Bag |
| Figaro | Silent Prowling | Feather Wand | Uses Left Paw | Sleek Tuxedo Fur | Smelly Tuna Scent |
| Luna | Silent Prowling | Catnip Cushion | Uses Right Paw | Sleek Tuxedo Fur | Smelly Tuna Scent |
| Mittens | Box Squeezing | Crinkle Ball | Uses Left Paw | Sleek Tuxedo Fur | Smelly Tuna Scent |
Clue 1
Integers
The security system tracks the temperature changes in the museum basement. Compare these positive and negative temperature drops to find the first 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
9
16
19
7
12
17
17
15
12
2
21
22
19
6
2
22
T
9
1
6
19
15
17
15
6
19
30
18
22
12
2
T
9
19
30
(-10) + 19 =T
5 - (-11) =H
(-2) + 21 =E
(-1) + 19 =P
19 - (-3) =O
20 - (-10) =R
(-14) + 35 =D
8 - (-4) =I
(-10) + 12 =N
(-4) + 11 =V
(-14) + 15 =U
4 - (-11) =A
(-11) + 28 =L
4 - (-2) =S
0/14 letters found
Clue 2
Percentages
The museum gift shop tracks what percentage of toys were sold today. Calculate the correct percentages to unlock the security log.
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
17
25
16
32
31
28
30
51
23
T
17
40
53
23
30
16
8
53
23
T
17
25
T
17
25
16
28
16
21
T
17
30
34
53
50% of 34 =T
10% of 230 =I
10% of 340 =A
10% of 160 =E
50% of 106 =W
50% of 56 =L
20% of 40 =D
5% of 800 =S
50% of 62 =U
20% of 150 =P
5% of 500 =H
25% of 128 =C
60% of 35 =F
10% of 510 =R
0/14 letters found
Clue 3
Order of operations
To crack the vault code, you must solve the curator's puzzle using the strict rules of operations in the exact correct order.
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
56
91
34
T
56
91
19
34
45
12
89
106
106
11
T
56
96
34
49
19
49
T
56
T
56
91
34
49
90
34
119
119
9
T
56
88
106
89
12 × 7 - 28 =T
6 × 4 - 13 =O
11 × 3 - 14 =I
9 × 12 - 17 =H
56 + 7 × 9 =L
11 × 5 - 21 =E
56 + 8 × 5 =R
2 + 5 × 2 =C
45 + 9 × 5 =M
12 × 9 - 2 =N
12 × 8 - 8 =U
3 + 7 × 6 =F
14 + 5 × 7 =S
10 × 2 - 11 =Y
11 × 10 - 21 =A
0/15 letters found
Clue 4
Exponents
A colony of mice is multiplying fast in the grain bin. Use exponents to find how many mice are there and get the next 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.
S
125
4
8
8
128
9
4
225
81
128
225
49
169
324
400
256
121
8
121
100
216
8
169
343
32
100
64
324
225
S
125
4
8
32
121
5^3 =S
2^2 =L
3^2 =B
20^2 =H
4^4 =I
11^2 =T
6^3 =X
13^2 =D
2^3 =E
18^2 =W
2^5 =F
3^4 =C
7^2 =N
2^7 =K
7^3 =O
15^2 =A
8^2 =R
10^2 =U
0/18 letters found
Clue 5
Two-step equations — the last clue
A scale in the pantry has weights on both sides. Solve this two-step equation to balance the scale and reveal 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!
Step 1 — solve these
2x + 3 = 25, x = ?
2x + 6 = 24, x = ?
4x + 2 = 34, x = ?
2x + 3 = 11, x = ?
2x + 10 = 34, x = ?
4x + 12 = 20, x = ?
2x + 10 = 24, x = ?
4x + 8 = 20, x = ?
3x + 1 = 16, x = ?
6x + 4 = 64, x = ?
3x + 7 = 25, x = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain squeezed inside a tiny delivery box, then rolled a crinkle ball down the hallway.
2.The villain leaped over the high security fence, then shined a laser pointer to confuse the cameras.
3.The villain slipped through the narrow vents, then dropped a catnip cushion to soothe the watchdogs.
4.The villain squeezed inside a tiny delivery box, then shined a laser pointer to confuse the cameras.
5.The villain leaped over the high security fence, then swung a feather wand to bypass the motion sensors.
6.The villain chased a reflection across the gallery roof, then swung a feather wand to bypass the motion sensors.
7.The villain slipped through the narrow vents, then shined a laser pointer to confuse the cameras.
8.The villain tangled up the laser grid with yarn, then swung a feather wand to bypass the motion sensors.
9.The villain squeezed inside a tiny delivery box, then dropped a catnip cushion to soothe the watchdogs.
10.The villain chased a reflection across the gallery roof, then rolled a crinkle ball down the hallway.
11.The villain slipped through the narrow vents, then swung a feather wand to bypass the motion sensors.
12.The villain chased a reflection across the gallery roof, then tossed a squeaky mouse to distract the guard.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Great Whisker City Heist
Culprit: Mittens (Box Squeezing · Crinkle Ball · Uses Left Paw · Sleek Tuxedo Fur · Smelly Tuna Scent)
- Clue 1 (Integers): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT USE A LASER POINTER"(-10) + 19 = 9 (T) · 5 - (-11) = 16 (H) · (-2) + 21 = 19 (E) · (-1) + 19 = 18 (P) · 19 - (-3) = 22 (O) · 20 - (-10) = 30 (R) · (-14) + 35 = 21 (D) · 8 - (-4) = 12 (I) · (-10) + 12 = 2 (N) · (-4) + 11 = 7 (V) · (-14) + 15 = 1 (U) · 4 - (-11) = 15 (A) · (-11) + 28 = 17 (L) · 4 - (-2) = 6 (S)
- Clue 2 (Percentages): "THE CULPRIT SWIPED WITH THE LEFT PAW"50% of 34 = 17 (T) · 10% of 230 = 23 (I) · 10% of 340 = 34 (A) · 10% of 160 = 16 (E) · 50% of 106 = 53 (W) · 50% of 56 = 28 (L) · 20% of 40 = 8 (D) · 5% of 800 = 40 (S) · 50% of 62 = 31 (U) · 20% of 150 = 30 (P) · 5% of 500 = 25 (H) · 25% of 128 = 32 (C) · 60% of 35 = 21 (F) · 10% of 510 = 51 (R)
- Clue 3 (Order of operations): "THE THIEF CANNOT RESIST THE SMELLY TUNA"12 × 7 - 28 = 56 (T) · 6 × 4 - 13 = 11 (O) · 11 × 3 - 14 = 19 (I) · 9 × 12 - 17 = 91 (H) · 56 + 7 × 9 = 119 (L) · 11 × 5 - 21 = 34 (E) · 56 + 8 × 5 = 96 (R) · 2 + 5 × 2 = 12 (C) · 45 + 9 × 5 = 90 (M) · 12 × 9 - 2 = 106 (N) · 12 × 8 - 8 = 88 (U) · 3 + 7 × 6 = 45 (F) · 14 + 5 × 7 = 49 (S) · 10 × 2 - 11 = 9 (Y) · 11 × 10 - 21 = 89 (A)
- Clue 4 (Exponents): "SLEEK BLACK AND WHITE TUXEDO FUR WAS LEFT"5^3 = 125 (S) · 2^2 = 4 (L) · 3^2 = 9 (B) · 20^2 = 400 (H) · 4^4 = 256 (I) · 11^2 = 121 (T) · 6^3 = 216 (X) · 13^2 = 169 (D) · 2^3 = 8 (E) · 18^2 = 324 (W) · 2^5 = 32 (F) · 3^4 = 81 (C) · 7^2 = 49 (N) · 2^7 = 128 (K) · 7^3 = 343 (O) · 15^2 = 225 (A) · 8^2 = 64 (R) · 10^2 = 100 (U)
- Clue 5 (Two-step equations): surviving statement (box 1) → Mittens2x + 3 = 25, x = 11 · 2x + 6 = 24, x = 9 · 4x + 2 = 34, x = 8 · 2x + 3 = 11, x = 4 · 2x + 10 = 34, x = 12 · 4x + 12 = 20, x = 2 · 2x + 10 = 24, x = 7 · 4x + 8 = 20, x = 3 · 3x + 1 = 16, x = 5 · 6x + 4 = 64, x = 10 · 3x + 7 = 25, x = 6
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 7 math
- Math topics
- Integers, Percentages, Order of operations, Exponents, Two-step equations
- Reading level
- grades 5-6
- Theme
- The Great Whisker City Heist — set in The Whisker City Museum of Fine Fish
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects