The Lost Golden Compass
The Golden Compass, the crown jewel of the Whispering Canopy Expedition, has vanished from the Grand Basecamp! The culprit has fled deep into the ancient jungle. Grab your canteen and map, team—we need to analyze the clues left on the trail to track down the thief!
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
| Name | Primary Gear | Secondary Gear | Dominant Hand | Hairstyle | Vulnerability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percy Fawcett | Decoder Ring | Camp Stove | Right-handed | Dusty Ponytail | Loud Noises |
| Mary Kingsley | Smoke Bomb | Camp Stove | Left-handed | Sleek Buzzcut | Shiny Gold |
| Roald Amundsen | Climbing Spikes | Pocket Knife | Right-handed | Windswept Curls | Shiny Gold |
| Ibn Battuta | Smoke Bomb | Flare Gun | Right-handed | Dusty Ponytail | Shiny Gold |
| Gertrude Bell | Climbing Spikes | Binoculars | Left-handed | Sleek Buzzcut | Shiny Gold |
| Marco Polo | Glider Wing | Pocket Knife | Left-handed | Dusty Ponytail | Swarms of Bugs |
| Alexandrine Tinne | Climbing Spikes | Mini Compass | Right-handed | Windswept Curls | Loud Noises |
| Bessie Coleman | Smoke Bomb | Mini Compass | Left-handed | Windswept Curls | Swarms of Bugs |
| Thor Heyerdahl | Decoder Ring | Flare Gun | Right-handed | Windswept Curls | Shiny Gold |
| Amelia Earhart | Decoder Ring | Camp Stove | Right-handed | Sleek Buzzcut | Loud Noises |
| Sacagawea | Smoke Bomb | Mini Compass | Right-handed | Dusty Ponytail | Loud Noises |
| Matthew Henson | Smoke Bomb | Binoculars | Right-handed | Windswept Curls | Loud Noises |
| Freya Stark | Smoke Bomb | Mini Compass | Right-handed | Windswept Curls | Shiny Gold |
| Charles Darwin | Smoke Bomb | Flare Gun | Right-handed | Sleek Buzzcut | Shiny Gold |
| Nellie Bly | Decoder Ring | Camp Stove | Left-handed | Windswept Curls | Loud Noises |
| George Mallory | Grappling Hook | Camp Stove | Left-handed | Dusty Ponytail | Swarms of Bugs |
| Junko Tabei | Smoke Bomb | Camp Stove | Right-handed | Windswept Curls | Loud Noises |
| Ernest Shackleton | Decoder Ring | Pocket Knife | Right-handed | Windswept Curls | Loud Noises |
| Hiram Bingham | Grappling Hook | Binoculars | Right-handed | Windswept Curls | Loud Noises |
| Jacques Cousteau | Climbing Spikes | Binoculars | Right-handed | Dusty Ponytail | Loud Noises |
| Isabella Bird | Glider Wing | Binoculars | Right-handed | Windswept Curls | Shiny Gold |
Integers
To track the suspect, the team measures changes in altitude. We compare steps climbed and cave descents using positive and negative values.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Percentages
Our GPS map scanner only displays the percentage of the temple grid that has been cleared of traps. Let's calculate the remaining safety zone.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Order of operations
A heavy stone gate blocks the jungle path. We must follow the strict order of mathematical steps carved into the lock to swing it open.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Exponents
Glowing jungle ferns are multiplying fast! To estimate how many spores are blocking our vision, we must calculate their exponential growth rate.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Two-step equations — the last clue
An ancient scale holds two carved stone weights. We need to find the weight of a single golden idol to balance the scale and reveal the 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 Lost Golden Compass
- Clue 1 (Integers): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT CARRY A MINI COMPASS"(-4) + 26 = 22 (T) · 10 - (-14) = 24 (L) · (-10) + 33 = 23 (R) · (-2) + 31 = 29 (E) · (-11) + 23 = 12 (S) · 13 - (-2) = 15 (C) · (-9) + 19 = 10 (D) · (-7) + 34 = 27 (O) · (-3) + 23 = 20 (N) · (-2) + 15 = 13 (P) · 3 - (-6) = 9 (A) · 22 - (-8) = 30 (Y) · (-12) + 31 = 19 (I) · (-15) + 31 = 16 (M) · (-8) + 33 = 25 (H) · (-12) + 14 = 2 (V)
- Clue 2 (Percentages): "THE TARGET GRABBED IT WITH THEIR RIGHT HAND"5% of 280 = 14 (T) · 40% of 5 = 2 (G) · 20% of 265 = 53 (W) · 50% of 38 = 19 (E) · 40% of 100 = 40 (A) · 50% of 92 = 46 (H) · 50% of 24 = 12 (R) · 20% of 15 = 3 (D) · 25% of 136 = 34 (N) · 75% of 8 = 6 (B) · 10% of 490 = 49 (I)
- Clue 3 (Order of operations): "THE SUSPECT COVERED THEIR EARS AT THE BANG"77 + 5 × 5 = 102 (T) · 9 × 12 - 22 = 86 (V) · 2 + 2 × 3 = 8 (D) · 5 + 4 × 2 = 13 (O) · 11 × 10 - 15 = 95 (C) · 49 + 4 × 2 = 57 (I) · 69 + 9 × 3 = 96 (A) · 56 + 2 × 5 = 66 (U) · 21 + 5 × 8 = 61 (G) · 18 + 9 × 9 = 99 (P) · 11 + 4 × 3 = 23 (E) · 4 × 10 - 8 = 32 (H) · 11 × 5 - 27 = 28 (R) · 12 × 6 - 26 = 46 (N) · 29 + 3 × 4 = 41 (B) · 8 × 5 - 7 = 33 (S)
- Clue 4 (Exponents): "WIND SWEPT CURLY HAIR WAS ON THE VINES"10^2 = 100 (W) · 20^2 = 400 (L) · 17^2 = 289 (S) · 2^8 = 256 (A) · 2^5 = 32 (R) · 3^5 = 243 (N) · 4^2 = 16 (P) · 6^2 = 36 (Y) · 7^2 = 49 (I) · 3^3 = 27 (H) · 14^2 = 196 (C) · 5^2 = 25 (O) · 13^2 = 169 (V) · 7^3 = 343 (D) · 12^2 = 144 (U) · 2^3 = 8 (E) · 11^2 = 121 (T)
- Clue 5 (Two-step equations): surviving statement (box 10) → Hiram Bingham6x + 1 = 67, x = 11 · 2x + 10 = 22, x = 6 · 3x + 2 = 38, x = 12 · 3x + 8 = 23, x = 5 · 6x + 7 = 25, x = 3 · 2x + 9 = 23, x = 7 · 6x + 8 = 62, x = 9 · 5x + 11 = 21, x = 2 · 4x + 2 = 18, x = 4 · 4x + 12 = 16, x = 1 · 5x + 9 = 49, x = 8
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 7 math
- Math topics
- Integers, Percentages, Order of operations, Exponents, Two-step equations
- Reading level
- grades 7-9
- Theme
- The Lost Golden Compass — set in The deep, uncharted jungles of Whispering Canopy Island
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects