🔎 Missing cupcake, school, musGrade 1Reading: grades 1-2AdditionSubtractionWord problemsSkip countingMissing addends
The Mystery of the Missing Cupcake
Oh no! Zainab had a special giant strawberry cupcake for our Friday Eid party, but now it is gone! We must help our friends find the cupcake thief before lunch recess begins!
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 | Favorite Class | Backpack Color | Writing Hand | Headwear Style | Favorite Snack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huda | Art Class | Red Backpack | Right Handed | Flower Clip | Sweet Dates |
| Mustafa | Art Class | Blue Backpack | Right Handed | Flower Clip | Sweet Dates |
| Ali | Arabic Class | Green Backpack | Left Handed | Knit Cap | Sweet Dates |
| Safia | Art Class | Yellow Backpack | Left Handed | Flower Clip | Salty Pretzel |
| Amina | Arabic Class | Blue Backpack | Left Handed | Blue Hijab | Salty Pretzel |
| Maryam | Art Class | Yellow Backpack | Left Handed | Flower Clip | Sweet Dates |
| Yahya | Science Lab | Red Backpack | Right Handed | Flower Clip | Salty Pretzel |
| Rayan | Islamic Studies | Purple Backpack | Left Handed | Knit Cap | Salty Pretzel |
| Ibrahim | Science Lab | Blue Backpack | Right Handed | Knit Cap | Sweet Dates |
| Omar | Islamic Studies | Yellow Backpack | Right Handed | Blue Hijab | Salty Pretzel |
| Aisha | Islamic Studies | Red Backpack | Left Handed | Flower Clip | Sweet Dates |
| Anas | Arabic Class | Red Backpack | Left Handed | Flower Clip | Sweet Dates |
| Hamza | Gym Class | Purple Backpack | Left Handed | Flower Clip | Sweet Dates |
| Sana | Science Lab | Blue Backpack | Left Handed | Blue Hijab | Sweet Dates |
| Hana | Gym Class | Red Backpack | Right Handed | Blue Hijab | Sweet Dates |
| Fatima | Art Class | Yellow Backpack | Right Handed | Knit Cap | Sweet Dates |
| Sara | Art Class | Red Backpack | Left Handed | Flower Clip | Sweet Dates |
| Bilal | Gym Class | Green Backpack | Right Handed | Flower Clip | Juice Box |
| Zainab | Gym Class | Purple Backpack | Left Handed | Blue Hijab | Juice Box |
| Yusuf | Gym Class | Green Backpack | Left Handed | Knit Cap | Juice Box |
| Khadija | Arabic Class | Yellow Backpack | Left Handed | Knit Cap | Salty Pretzel |
Clue 1
Addition
Zainab wants to count the party plates. She adds the red plates to the blue plates to find the total. Help her add them to get 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
13
16
14
T
13
16
19
14
7
11
2
14
20
18
2
T
13
16
4
17
14
4
3
5
15
3
10
14
8
4
12
6
3
4
12
6
5 + 8 =T
6 + 13 =I
6 + 12 =N
7 + 9 =H
1 + 1 =O
6 + 5 =D
8 + 6 =E
1 + 4 =U
12 + 8 =S
6 + 11 =V
2 + 1 =P
5 + 2 =F
5 + 7 =C
4 + 4 =B
6 + 9 =R
3 + 7 =L
2 + 2 =A
2 + 4 =K
0/18 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
Yusuf had a big bag of balloons. Some balloons popped and flew away. Subtract the popped ones to see how many are left and find 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.
T
9
5
10
T
9
5
17
10
19
5
10
3
18
T
9
5
10
16
13
14
14
12
17
12
T
9
5
10
17
4
3
10
19
T
9
5
1
12
18
14 - 5 =T
17 - 1 =S
8 - 7 =A
17 - 3 =O
13 - 8 =H
16 - 3 =P
19 - 2 =I
19 - 1 =D
20 - 1 =F
17 - 7 =E
19 - 7 =N
10 - 7 =L
11 - 7 =R
0/13 letters found
Clue 3
Word problems
Our teacher shares a story about sharing dates during lunch. Solve this simple story puzzle to unlock another clue!
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith.
S
28
19
23
23
37
34
31
37
23
S
28
Amina lined up 7 rows of 4 juice box. How many juice box in all?S
There were 32 hijab pin. 9 were used up. How many hijab pin are left?E
There were 26 cupcake. 7 were used up. How many cupcake are left?W
Amina found 3 cupcake yesterday and 31 more today. How many cupcake in all?D
Amina found 16 colored pencil yesterday and 15 more today. How many colored pencil in all?A
Amina found 11 hijab pin yesterday and 26 more today. How many hijab pin in all?T
0/6 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
Fatima counts the school juice boxes by twos. Count along with her in steps to reveal a very important 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
65
6
33
T
65
6
28
33
16
60
36
50
39
39
33
60
21
39
28
18
80
16
100
50
90
33
36
35
100
28
39
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75T
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42R
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110W
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, ___, 55, 60O
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27A
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39E
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120L
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20F
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100K
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10H
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___, 21, 24N
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45C
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70D
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32I
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45P
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
The kids need ten party hats but only have seven. How many more hats do they need? Solve this missing number puzzle for 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
3 + ___ = 4
1 + ___ = 8
8 + ___ = 16
10 + ___ = 15
4 + ___ = 16
5 + ___ = 11
6 + ___ = 9
8 + ___ = 12
4 + ___ = 13
4 + ___ = 15
10 + ___ = 12
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain runs past the art room, then puts the sweet treat in a box.
2.The villain quietly opens the fridge door, then puts the sweet treat in a box.
3.The villain runs past the art room, then hurries back to the classroom.
4.The villain quietly opens the fridge door, then takes the frosting off the top.
5.The villain tiptoes down the hallway, then zips the cupcake into a bag.
6.The villain tiptoes down the hallway, then grabs the strawberry cupcake.
7.The villain sneaks into the classroom kitchen, then puts the sweet treat in a box.
8.The villain runs past the art room, then zips the cupcake into a bag.
9.The villain runs past the art room, then grabs the strawberry cupcake.
10.The villain hides behind the lunch counter, then puts the sweet treat in a box.
11.The villain sneaks into the classroom kitchen, then takes the frosting off the top.
12.The villain hides behind the lunch counter, then hurries back to the classroom.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Mystery of the Missing Cupcake
Culprit: Anas (Arabic Class · Red Backpack · Left Handed · Flower Clip · Sweet Dates)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE THIEF DOES NOT HAVE A PURPLE BACKPACK"5 + 8 = 13 (T) · 6 + 13 = 19 (I) · 6 + 12 = 18 (N) · 7 + 9 = 16 (H) · 1 + 1 = 2 (O) · 6 + 5 = 11 (D) · 8 + 6 = 14 (E) · 1 + 4 = 5 (U) · 12 + 8 = 20 (S) · 6 + 11 = 17 (V) · 2 + 1 = 3 (P) · 5 + 2 = 7 (F) · 5 + 7 = 12 (C) · 4 + 4 = 8 (B) · 6 + 9 = 15 (R) · 3 + 7 = 10 (L) · 2 + 2 = 4 (A) · 2 + 4 = 6 (K)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "THE THIEF HELD THE SPOON IN THEIR LEFT HAND"14 - 5 = 9 (T) · 17 - 1 = 16 (S) · 8 - 7 = 1 (A) · 17 - 3 = 14 (O) · 13 - 8 = 5 (H) · 16 - 3 = 13 (P) · 19 - 2 = 17 (I) · 19 - 1 = 18 (D) · 20 - 1 = 19 (F) · 17 - 7 = 10 (E) · 19 - 7 = 12 (N) · 10 - 7 = 3 (L) · 11 - 7 = 4 (R)
- Clue 3 (Word problems): "SWEET DATES"Amina lined up 7 rows of 4 juice box. How many juice box in all? = 28 (S) · There were 32 hijab pin. 9 were used up. How many hijab pin are left? = 23 (E) · There were 26 cupcake. 7 were used up. How many cupcake are left? = 19 (W) · Amina found 3 cupcake yesterday and 31 more today. How many cupcake in all? = 34 (D) · Amina found 16 colored pencil yesterday and 15 more today. How many colored pencil in all? = 31 (A) · Amina found 11 hijab pin yesterday and 26 more today. How many hijab pin in all? = 37 (T)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "THE THIEF DROPPED A PINK FLOWER CLIP"Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75 = 65 (T) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (R) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110 = 90 (W) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, ___, 55, 60 = 50 (O) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (A) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (E) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120 = 100 (L) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (F) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100 = 80 (K) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (H) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___, 21, 24 = 18 (N) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (C) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70 = 60 (D) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (I) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45 = 39 (P)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 10) → Anas3 + ___ = 4 = 1 · 1 + ___ = 8 = 7 · 8 + ___ = 16 = 8 · 10 + ___ = 15 = 5 · 4 + ___ = 16 = 12 · 5 + ___ = 11 = 6 · 6 + ___ = 9 = 3 · 8 + ___ = 12 = 4 · 4 + ___ = 13 = 9 · 4 + ___ = 15 = 11 · 10 + ___ = 12 = 2
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 1 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Subtraction, Word problems, Skip counting, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 1-2
- Theme
- The Mystery of the Missing Cupcake — set in Oak Creek Elementary school kitchen during Friday treat day
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects