🏀 BasketballGrade 4Reading: grades 5-6RoundingMulti-step word problemsAdditionSubtractionDivision
The Mystery of the Missing Championship Ball
Right before the final buzzer sounded, the lights went out in the Arena Center. When they flashed back on, the golden Championship Ball was missing from the trophy stand! The culprit left a trail of chalky sneaker prints across the polished hardwood floor. It is up to you to decode the locker room clues and catch the Sneaker Bandit before the trophy ceremony is canceled.
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 | Signature Move | Secret Gear | Shooting Hand | Headband Style | Defense Flaw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Paul | unblockable fadeaway jumper | high-grip sticky gloves | left-handed shooter | sparkly star headband | hates full-court press |
| Luka Doncic | gravity-defying slam dunk | spring-loaded sneakers | left-handed shooter | neon yellow headband | hates full-court press |
| Damian Lillard | half-court buzzer-beater | weighted wrist tracker | right-handed shooter | sparkly star headband | falls for ball fakes |
| Russell Westbrook | gravity-defying slam dunk | super-bounce game ball | left-handed shooter | neon yellow headband | hates full-court press |
| LeBron James | no-look bounce pass | super-bounce game ball | right-handed shooter | neon yellow headband | hates full-court press |
| Kevin Durant | no-look bounce pass | weighted wrist tracker | right-handed shooter | striped retro headband | gets tired during fastbreaks |
| Kyrie Irving | no-look bounce pass | holographic shooting glasses | left-handed shooter | neon yellow headband | hates full-court press |
| Anthony Davis | no-look bounce pass | super-bounce game ball | right-handed shooter | sparkly star headband | hates full-court press |
| Zion Williamson | unblockable fadeaway jumper | high-grip sticky gloves | right-handed shooter | neon yellow headband | hates full-court press |
| Stephen Curry | lightning crossover dribble | weighted wrist tracker | left-handed shooter | sparkly star headband | gets tired during fastbreaks |
| Devin Booker | unblockable fadeaway jumper | holographic shooting glasses | right-handed shooter | neon yellow headband | hates full-court press |
| James Harden | no-look bounce pass | weighted wrist tracker | left-handed shooter | neon yellow headband | hates full-court press |
| Jayson Tatum | half-court buzzer-beater | holographic shooting glasses | left-handed shooter | sparkly star headband | hates full-court press |
| Trae Young | lightning crossover dribble | spring-loaded sneakers | left-handed shooter | striped retro headband | hates full-court press |
| Kawhi Leonard | gravity-defying slam dunk | high-grip sticky gloves | left-handed shooter | sparkly star headband | gets tired during fastbreaks |
| Klay Thompson | gravity-defying slam dunk | high-grip sticky gloves | right-handed shooter | striped retro headband | hates full-court press |
| Shaquille ONeal | no-look bounce pass | weighted wrist tracker | left-handed shooter | neon yellow headband | falls for ball fakes |
| Nikola Jokic | unblockable fadeaway jumper | super-bounce game ball | left-handed shooter | neon yellow headband | hates full-court press |
| Michael Jordan | unblockable fadeaway jumper | spring-loaded sneakers | left-handed shooter | sparkly star headband | gets tired during fastbreaks |
| Paul George | unblockable fadeaway jumper | holographic shooting glasses | left-handed shooter | sparkly star headband | hates full-court press |
| Jimmy Butler | no-look bounce pass | spring-loaded sneakers | left-handed shooter | neon yellow headband | hates full-court press |
Clue 1
Rounding
We need to calculate the total team points across all four quarters, minus the free throws, to unlock the coach's digital playbook. This playbook contains our first clue about the Sneaker Bandit's gear.
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
900
7000
700
T
900
7000
290
700
90
2300
9000
700
110
370
9000
T
900
300
110
700
200
110
300
50
700
2900
500
9000
300
370
430
700
500
200
3700
3700
Round 868 to the nearest hundredT
Round 271 to the nearest hundredU
Round 428 to the nearest tenC
Round 207 to the nearest hundredA
Round 8,992 to the nearest thousandO
Round 53 to the nearest tenP
Round 6,885 to the nearest thousandH
Round 90 to the nearest tenF
Round 745 to the nearest hundredE
Round 2,851 to the nearest hundredR
Round 3,749 to the nearest hundredL
Round 369 to the nearest tenN
Round 478 to the nearest hundredB
Round 2,259 to the nearest hundredD
Round 108 to the nearest tenS
Round 289 to the nearest tenI
0/16 letters found
Clue 2
Multi-step word problems
The speed radar caught the bandit running past the concession stand. The radar screen is cracked and only displays speeds rounded to the nearest ten, but we can use this estimate to reveal the culprit's shooting hand.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
L
78
16
37
52
26
62
21
D
16
D
S
26
O
O
52
16
R
There were 176 whistles in all. 2 All-Star Squad used 10 whistles each. The other 2 All-Star Squad shared the rest equally. How many whistles did each of the other All-Star Squad get?L
Coach collected 10 whistles in the morning and 32 whistles in the afternoon, then split them equally among 2 All-Star Squad. How many whistles did each get?N
There were 176 sneakers in all. 32 sneakers were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 9 All-Star Squad. How many sneakers did each get?E
There were 147 jersey shirts in all. 4 All-Star Squad used 9 jersey shirts each. The other 3 All-Star Squad shared the rest equally. How many jersey shirts did each of the other All-Star Squad get?F
There were 258 jersey shirts in all. 3 All-Star Squad used 24 jersey shirts each. The other 3 All-Star Squad shared the rest equally. How many jersey shirts did each of the other All-Star Squad get?A
There were 212 whistles in all. 4 whistles were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 4 All-Star Squad. How many whistles did each get?T
There were 198 jersey shirts in all. 3 All-Star Squad used 40 jersey shirts each. The other 3 All-Star Squad shared the rest equally. How many jersey shirts did each of the other All-Star Squad get?H
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Addition
Let us total up all the practice jerseys left in the laundry bins. Combining the home and away jerseys will give us the passcode to read the security guard's defensive notes.
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
7582
7040
3126
T
7582
7040
2292
3126
3579
8397
2169
7793
2292
8818
8039
3126
8767
8767
5684
8552
2292
7793
5030
T
7582
7040
3126
3579
5684
6814
6814
8818
9718
5684
8552
T
7582
8397
8552
3126
5116
5116
4332 + 3250 =T
4901 + 2892 =N
1953 + 1173 =E
3107 + 2009 =S
3428 + 4611 =K
5882 + 3836 =O
1085 + 1084 =A
4835 + 3562 =P
1602 + 690 =I
3737 + 1947 =U
2302 + 4512 =L
3868 + 3172 =H
1602 + 1977 =F
3133 + 5634 =D
5604 + 2948 =R
4540 + 4278 =C
3091 + 1939 =G
0/17 letters found
Clue 4
Subtraction
The team statistician noticed some basketballs are missing from the equipment rack. Subtracting the remaining balls from the original inventory will open the locker where the bandit dropped their headband.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
A
8319
3007
7004
2719
3007
7692
7004
7360
7360
2719
5867
6142
8597
8125
7004
A
8319
8819
5867
A
8319
6128
6128
3007
A
8319
4626
4626
7004
8819
2719
3007
6142
8597
7004
3007
7004
6142
10257 - 1938 =A
10677 - 1858 =D
11492 - 3367 =R
8214 - 522 =Y
12147 - 4787 =L
6715 - 587 =S
10326 - 1729 =H
8572 - 2705 =W
8121 - 1979 =T
11895 - 4891 =E
6098 - 3091 =N
8258 - 3632 =G
6315 - 3596 =O
0/13 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
To figure out how the suspect escaped, we must divide the leftover energy drinks equally among the starting lineup. Solving this fair-share problem unlocks the final security footage.
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
10 ÷ 10 = ?
12 ÷ 6 = ?
33 ÷ 11 = ?
32 ÷ 8 = ?
36 ÷ 3 = ?
77 ÷ 7 = ?
27 ÷ 3 = ?
40 ÷ 5 = ?
20 ÷ 4 = ?
40 ÷ 4 = ?
60 ÷ 10 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain zips a sneaky no-look pass to a shadow, then scans the exits using holographic shooting glasses.
2.The villain zips a sneaky no-look pass to a shadow, then flees using spring-loaded sneakers.
3.The villain soars into the air for a rim-rattling dunk, then flees using spring-loaded sneakers.
4.The villain soars into the air for a rim-rattling dunk, then scans the exits using holographic shooting glasses.
5.The villain dribbles through the defense at light speed, then swipes the championship trophy with sticky gloves.
6.The villain fades backward to hit a perfect jump shot, then scans the exits using holographic shooting glasses.
7.The villain zips a sneaky no-look pass to a shadow, then checks their escape time on a weighted wrist tracker.
8.The villain soars into the air for a rim-rattling dunk, then checks their escape time on a weighted wrist tracker.
9.The villain soars into the air for a rim-rattling dunk, then swipes the championship trophy with sticky gloves.
10.The villain dribbles through the defense at light speed, then escapes by bouncing away on a super-bounce ball.
11.The villain fades backward to hit a perfect jump shot, then escapes by bouncing away on a super-bounce ball.
12.The villain fades backward to hit a perfect jump shot, then swipes the championship trophy with sticky gloves.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Mystery of the Missing Championship Ball
Culprit: James Harden (no-look bounce pass · weighted wrist tracker · left-handed shooter · neon yellow headband · hates full-court press)
- Clue 1 (Rounding): "THE THIEF DOES NOT USE A SUPER BOUNCE BALL"Round 868 to the nearest hundred = 900 (T) · Round 271 to the nearest hundred = 300 (U) · Round 428 to the nearest ten = 430 (C) · Round 207 to the nearest hundred = 200 (A) · Round 8,992 to the nearest thousand = 9000 (O) · Round 53 to the nearest ten = 50 (P) · Round 6,885 to the nearest thousand = 7000 (H) · Round 90 to the nearest ten = 90 (F) · Round 745 to the nearest hundred = 700 (E) · Round 2,851 to the nearest hundred = 2900 (R) · Round 3,749 to the nearest hundred = 3700 (L) · Round 369 to the nearest ten = 370 (N) · Round 478 to the nearest hundred = 500 (B) · Round 2,259 to the nearest hundred = 2300 (D) · Round 108 to the nearest ten = 110 (S) · Round 289 to the nearest ten = 290 (I)
- Clue 2 (Multi-step word problems): "LEFT HANDED SHOOTER"There were 176 whistles in all. 2 All-Star Squad used 10 whistles each. The other 2 All-Star Squad shared the rest equally. How many whistles did each of the other All-Star Squad get? = 78 (L) · Coach collected 10 whistles in the morning and 32 whistles in the afternoon, then split them equally among 2 All-Star Squad. How many whistles did each get? = 21 (N) · There were 176 sneakers in all. 32 sneakers were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 9 All-Star Squad. How many sneakers did each get? = 16 (E) · There were 147 jersey shirts in all. 4 All-Star Squad used 9 jersey shirts each. The other 3 All-Star Squad shared the rest equally. How many jersey shirts did each of the other All-Star Squad get? = 37 (F) · There were 258 jersey shirts in all. 3 All-Star Squad used 24 jersey shirts each. The other 3 All-Star Squad shared the rest equally. How many jersey shirts did each of the other All-Star Squad get? = 62 (A) · There were 212 whistles in all. 4 whistles were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 4 All-Star Squad. How many whistles did each get? = 52 (T) · There were 198 jersey shirts in all. 3 All-Star Squad used 40 jersey shirts each. The other 3 All-Star Squad shared the rest equally. How many jersey shirts did each of the other All-Star Squad get? = 26 (H)
- Clue 3 (Addition): "THE THIEF PANICKED DURING THE FULL COURT PRESS"4332 + 3250 = 7582 (T) · 4901 + 2892 = 7793 (N) · 1953 + 1173 = 3126 (E) · 3107 + 2009 = 5116 (S) · 3428 + 4611 = 8039 (K) · 5882 + 3836 = 9718 (O) · 1085 + 1084 = 2169 (A) · 4835 + 3562 = 8397 (P) · 1602 + 690 = 2292 (I) · 3737 + 1947 = 5684 (U) · 2302 + 4512 = 6814 (L) · 3868 + 3172 = 7040 (H) · 1602 + 1977 = 3579 (F) · 3133 + 5634 = 8767 (D) · 5604 + 2948 = 8552 (R) · 4540 + 4278 = 8818 (C) · 3091 + 1939 = 5030 (G)
- Clue 4 (Subtraction): "A NEON YELLOW THREAD WAS SNAGGED ON THE NET"10257 - 1938 = 8319 (A) · 10677 - 1858 = 8819 (D) · 11492 - 3367 = 8125 (R) · 8214 - 522 = 7692 (Y) · 12147 - 4787 = 7360 (L) · 6715 - 587 = 6128 (S) · 10326 - 1729 = 8597 (H) · 8572 - 2705 = 5867 (W) · 8121 - 1979 = 6142 (T) · 11895 - 4891 = 7004 (E) · 6098 - 3091 = 3007 (N) · 8258 - 3632 = 4626 (G) · 6315 - 3596 = 2719 (O)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 7) → James Harden10 ÷ 10 = 1 · 12 ÷ 6 = 2 · 33 ÷ 11 = 3 · 32 ÷ 8 = 4 · 36 ÷ 3 = 12 · 77 ÷ 7 = 11 · 27 ÷ 3 = 9 · 40 ÷ 5 = 8 · 20 ÷ 4 = 5 · 40 ÷ 4 = 10 · 60 ÷ 10 = 6
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 4 math
- Math topics
- Rounding, Multi-step word problems, Addition, Subtraction, Division
- Reading level
- grades 5-6
- Theme
- The Mystery of the Missing Championship Ball — set in the packed Arena Center during the Junior Championship game
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects