🦕 DinosaursGrade 7Reading: grades 7-9IntegersMulti-step word problemsPercentagesOrder of operationsTwo-step equations
The Mesozoic Heist
An alarm has shattered the night at the Mesozoic Reserve. Someone bypassed the advanced security grid and stole the priceless, glowing Genesis Egg from the nursery. The suspect list is filled with elite handlers and visiting researchers. We must crack the security logs, analyze the physical evidence, and pinpoint the culprit before they escape the island.
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 | Primary Gear | Stolen Tech | Footprint Stride | Helmet Stripe | Scent Foil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Brennan | Sonic Whistler | Grappling Hook | Right-Leaning Stride | Red Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Roland Tembo | Net Launcher | Cloaking Field | Left-Leaning Stride | Blue Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Alan Grant | Sonic Whistler | Mag-Boots | Left-Leaning Stride | Blue Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Roxie Carter | Sonic Whistler | Holographic Decoy | Right-Leaning Stride | Red Helmet Stripe | Citronella Smoke |
| Sammy Gutierrez | Net Launcher | Cloaking Field | Right-Leaning Stride | Blue Helmet Stripe | Citronella Smoke |
| Ian Malcolm | Pheromone Dart | Thermal Visor | Right-Leaning Stride | Green Helmet Stripe | Citronella Smoke |
| Mae Turner | Net Launcher | Mag-Boots | Left-Leaning Stride | Red Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Kenji Kon | Net Launcher | Thermal Visor | Left-Leaning Stride | Blue Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Ben Pincus | Sonic Whistler | Thermal Visor | Left-Leaning Stride | Green Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Claire Dearing | Pheromone Dart | Cloaking Field | Left-Leaning Stride | Red Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Henry Wu | Pheromone Dart | Thermal Visor | Left-Leaning Stride | Green Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Robert Muldoon | Net Launcher | Thermal Visor | Right-Leaning Stride | Green Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Ellie Sattler | Pheromone Dart | Thermal Visor | Right-Leaning Stride | Blue Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Sarah Harding | Shock Prod | Grappling Hook | Left-Leaning Stride | Blue Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Gerry Harding | Sonic Whistler | Holographic Decoy | Left-Leaning Stride | Blue Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Dave Larson | Net Launcher | Cloaking Field | Right-Leaning Stride | Red Helmet Stripe | Eucalyptus Spray |
| Kayla Watts | Shock Prod | Thermal Visor | Left-Leaning Stride | Red Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Nick Van Owen | Net Launcher | Cloaking Field | Left-Leaning Stride | Blue Helmet Stripe | Citronella Smoke |
| Darius Bowman | Net Launcher | Cloaking Field | Left-Leaning Stride | Green Helmet Stripe | Citronella Smoke |
| Brooklynn Rider | Sonic Whistler | Thermal Visor | Right-Leaning Stride | Blue Helmet Stripe | Ammonia Mist |
| Ramsay Cole | Pheromone Dart | Mag-Boots | Left-Leaning Stride | Blue Helmet Stripe | Citronella Smoke |
Clue 1
Integers
We recovered a discarded digital manifest detailing stolen fossil shipments. Solving the multi-step inventory log reveals what gear the suspect lacked.
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
23
2
4
T
23
2
18
4
13
25
3
4
21
26
3
T
23
29
21
4
T
23
2
4
2
3
16
3
10
12
22
8
2
18
20
25
4
20
3
19
(-8) + 31 =T
(-5) + 21 =L
1 - (-3) =E
15 - (-7) =A
2 - (-6) =P
14 - (-11) =D
6 - (-4) =G
14 - (-12) =N
(-11) + 30 =Y
(-11) + 40 =U
(-12) + 14 =H
(-5) + 8 =O
(-7) + 25 =I
6 - (-15) =S
(-13) + 25 =R
17 - (-3) =C
11 - (-2) =F
0/17 letters found
Clue 2
Multi-step word problems
The security system recorded temperature drops in the cryo-storage chambers. Calculating these integer fluctuations reveals the suspect's unique walking stride.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
L
89
76
81
27
L
89
76
25
75
72
75
G
S
27
R
72
D
76
There were 566 dinosaur eggs in all. 2 Dino Recovery Unit used 16 dinosaur eggs each. The other 6 Dino Recovery Unit shared the rest equally. How many dinosaur eggs did each of the other Dino Recovery Unit get?L
Paleo-tracker filled 5 boxes with 3 gps beacons each, then found 10 more gps beacons. How many gps beacons are there in all?A
There were 112 tracking collars in all. 31 tracking collars were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 3 Dino Recovery Unit. How many tracking collars did each get?T
Paleo-tracker collected 273 gps beacons in the morning and 87 gps beacons in the afternoon, then split them equally among 5 Dino Recovery Unit. How many gps beacons did each get?I
Paleo-tracker collected 479 fossilized teeth in the morning and 7 fossilized teeth in the afternoon, then split them equally among 6 Dino Recovery Unit. How many fossilized teeth did each get?F
Paleo-tracker filled 6 boxes with 3 fossilized teeth each, then found 57 more fossilized teeth. How many fossilized teeth are there in all?N
Paleo-tracker filled 3 boxes with 4 tracking collars each, then found 64 more tracking collars. How many tracking collars are there in all?E
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Percentages
Sensors detected a chemical reaction when the thief ran through our security sprays. Computing the percentage of active compounds identifies their weakness.
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
38
5
44
51
44
10
44
26
51
39
32
39
1
39
4
43
51
35
14
T
38
5
44
39
14
14
35
32
34
39
14
34
54
T
38
25% of 152 =T
50% of 2 =W
5% of 80 =Y
10% of 100 =B
5% of 520 =L
25% of 216 =S
20% of 220 =E
10% of 50 =H
60% of 65 =A
25% of 56 =M
5% of 700 =O
50% of 64 =N
5% of 680 =I
10% of 430 =F
20% of 255 =R
0/15 letters found
Clue 4
Order of operations
The automated dome lights flashed in a precise mathematical sequence during the breach. Evaluating the order of operations in the power grid logs reveals the color of the thief's helmet stripe.
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
67
76
19
18
41
81
19
45
41
35
85
97
T
67
T
67
19
49
41
102
89
111
19
76
19
89
81
19
T
67
35
T
67
45
87
85
19
13 + 6 × 9 =T
13 + 2 × 3 =E
63 + 4 × 6 =I
11 × 11 - 10 =U
11 × 10 - 8 =B
6 × 6 - 1 =S
10 × 11 - 21 =L
73 + 4 × 2 =M
4 × 12 - 3 =R
91 + 3 × 2 =O
5 × 6 - 12 =C
12 × 8 - 11 =P
11 × 7 - 28 =D
8 × 12 - 20 =H
8 × 7 - 15 =A
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Two-step equations — the last clue
Our drone radar tracked a fleeing suspect through the jungle canopy. Solving this two-step motion equation confirms the helmet stripe of the runner.
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
5x + 12 = 52, x = ?
6x + 6 = 72, x = ?
3x + 2 = 17, x = ?
5x + 8 = 68, x = ?
4x + 8 = 44, x = ?
3x + 1 = 22, x = ?
6x + 4 = 28, x = ?
5x + 1 = 51, x = ?
4x + 8 = 32, x = ?
3x + 3 = 9, x = ?
6x + 9 = 15, x = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain released a cloud of sleeping gas, then activated a tactical cloaking field.
2.The villain released a cloud of sleeping gas, then deployed a flashing holographic decoy.
3.The villain swung a high-voltage shock prod, then escaped using a grappling hook.
4.The villain fired a sonic whistler to daze the guards, then activated a tactical cloaking field.
5.The villain shot a heavy net launcher over the gates, then scanned the area with a thermal visor.
6.The villain fired a sonic whistler to daze the guards, then scanned the area with a thermal visor.
7.The villain swung a high-voltage shock prod, then scanned the area with a thermal visor.
8.The villain shot a heavy net launcher over the gates, then activated a tactical cloaking field.
9.The villain released a cloud of sleeping gas, then scanned the area with a thermal visor.
10.The villain shot a heavy net launcher over the gates, then scaled the metal walls with mag-boots.
11.The villain fired a sonic whistler to daze the guards, then scaled the metal walls with mag-boots.
12.The villain released a cloud of sleeping gas, then scaled the metal walls with mag-boots.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Mesozoic Heist
Culprit: Sarah Harding (Shock Prod · Grappling Hook · Left-Leaning Stride · Blue Helmet Stripe · Ammonia Mist)
- Clue 1 (Integers): "THE THIEF DOES NOT USE THE HOLOGRAPHIC DECOY"(-8) + 31 = 23 (T) · (-5) + 21 = 16 (L) · 1 - (-3) = 4 (E) · 15 - (-7) = 22 (A) · 2 - (-6) = 8 (P) · 14 - (-11) = 25 (D) · 6 - (-4) = 10 (G) · 14 - (-12) = 26 (N) · (-11) + 30 = 19 (Y) · (-11) + 40 = 29 (U) · (-12) + 14 = 2 (H) · (-5) + 8 = 3 (O) · (-7) + 25 = 18 (I) · 6 - (-15) = 21 (S) · (-13) + 25 = 12 (R) · 17 - (-3) = 20 (C) · 11 - (-2) = 13 (F)
- Clue 2 (Multi-step word problems): "LEFT LEANING STRIDE"There were 566 dinosaur eggs in all. 2 Dino Recovery Unit used 16 dinosaur eggs each. The other 6 Dino Recovery Unit shared the rest equally. How many dinosaur eggs did each of the other Dino Recovery Unit get? = 89 (L) · Paleo-tracker filled 5 boxes with 3 gps beacons each, then found 10 more gps beacons. How many gps beacons are there in all? = 25 (A) · There were 112 tracking collars in all. 31 tracking collars were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 3 Dino Recovery Unit. How many tracking collars did each get? = 27 (T) · Paleo-tracker collected 273 gps beacons in the morning and 87 gps beacons in the afternoon, then split them equally among 5 Dino Recovery Unit. How many gps beacons did each get? = 72 (I) · Paleo-tracker collected 479 fossilized teeth in the morning and 7 fossilized teeth in the afternoon, then split them equally among 6 Dino Recovery Unit. How many fossilized teeth did each get? = 81 (F) · Paleo-tracker filled 6 boxes with 3 fossilized teeth each, then found 57 more fossilized teeth. How many fossilized teeth are there in all? = 75 (N) · Paleo-tracker filled 3 boxes with 4 tracking collars each, then found 64 more tracking collars. How many tracking collars are there in all? = 76 (E)
- Clue 3 (Percentages): "THE REBEL RAN AWAY FROM THE AMMONIA MIST"25% of 152 = 38 (T) · 50% of 2 = 1 (W) · 5% of 80 = 4 (Y) · 10% of 100 = 10 (B) · 5% of 520 = 26 (L) · 25% of 216 = 54 (S) · 20% of 220 = 44 (E) · 10% of 50 = 5 (H) · 60% of 65 = 39 (A) · 25% of 56 = 14 (M) · 5% of 700 = 35 (O) · 50% of 64 = 32 (N) · 5% of 680 = 34 (I) · 10% of 430 = 43 (F) · 20% of 255 = 51 (R)
- Clue 4 (Order of operations): "THE CAMERA SPOTTED A BLUE HELMET STRIPE"13 + 6 × 9 = 67 (T) · 13 + 2 × 3 = 19 (E) · 63 + 4 × 6 = 87 (I) · 11 × 11 - 10 = 111 (U) · 11 × 10 - 8 = 102 (B) · 6 × 6 - 1 = 35 (S) · 10 × 11 - 21 = 89 (L) · 73 + 4 × 2 = 81 (M) · 4 × 12 - 3 = 45 (R) · 91 + 3 × 2 = 97 (O) · 5 × 6 - 12 = 18 (C) · 12 × 8 - 11 = 85 (P) · 11 × 7 - 28 = 49 (D) · 8 × 12 - 20 = 76 (H) · 8 × 7 - 15 = 41 (A)
- Clue 5 (Two-step equations): surviving statement (box 3) → Sarah Harding5x + 12 = 52, x = 8 · 6x + 6 = 72, x = 11 · 3x + 2 = 17, x = 5 · 5x + 8 = 68, x = 12 · 4x + 8 = 44, x = 9 · 3x + 1 = 22, x = 7 · 6x + 4 = 28, x = 4 · 5x + 1 = 51, x = 10 · 4x + 8 = 32, x = 6 · 3x + 3 = 9, x = 2 · 6x + 9 = 15, x = 1
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 7 math
- Math topics
- Integers, Multi-step word problems, Percentages, Order of operations, Two-step equations
- Reading level
- grades 7-9
- Theme
- The Mesozoic Heist — set in The Mesozoic Reserve, a high-tech sanctuary for cloned dinosaurs
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects