🔎 SoftballGrade 4Reading: grades 3-4AdditionRoundingSubtractionMultiplicationDivision
The Mystery of the Missing Golden Softball
The biggest game of the year is about to start, but someone has stolen the Golden Championship Softball! The umpire found muddy footprints leading away from the trophy case. We need to solve the math puzzles, gather clues, and find out which player took the golden ball before the final inning!
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 | Best Skill | Special Gear | Batting Stance | Hair Style | Field Obstacle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maya Brady | Outfield glider | Super grip pine tar | Left handed batting stance | Curly bubble ponytail | Bright stadium lights |
| Piper Presley | Base stealer | Super grip pine tar | Left handed batting stance | High braided ponytail | Bright stadium lights |
| Haylie McCleney | Power hitter | Weighted batting gloves | Right handed batting stance | High braided ponytail | Bright stadium lights |
| Chloe Coyle | Outfield glider | Golden cleat spikes | Left handed batting stance | High braided ponytail | Loud air horns |
| Valerie Cagle | Base stealer | Glow in the dark bat | Left handed batting stance | Curly bubble ponytail | Loud air horns |
| Aliyah Andrews | Bunt master | Super grip pine tar | Left handed batting stance | Curly bubble ponytail | Loud air horns |
| Jayda Coleman | Fastpitch fireballer | Super grip pine tar | Left handed batting stance | Slicked back visor bun | Soggy infield clay |
| Jennie Finch | Base stealer | Weighted batting gloves | Left handed batting stance | Curly bubble ponytail | Loud air horns |
| Jocelyn Alo | Base stealer | Glow in the dark bat | Left handed batting stance | High braided ponytail | Loud air horns |
| Rachel Garcia | Base stealer | High tech radar visor | Right handed batting stance | Slicked back visor bun | Bright stadium lights |
| Cat Osterman | Fastpitch fireballer | Super grip pine tar | Left handed batting stance | Slicked back visor bun | Bright stadium lights |
| Bailey Bunt | Base stealer | Weighted batting gloves | Right handed batting stance | Curly bubble ponytail | Loud air horns |
| Tiare Jennings | Power hitter | Super grip pine tar | Right handed batting stance | Slicked back visor bun | Loud air horns |
| NiJaree Canady | Power hitter | Glow in the dark bat | Right handed batting stance | Slicked back visor bun | Loud air horns |
| Sierra Romero | Power hitter | Golden cleat spikes | Left handed batting stance | Curly bubble ponytail | Loud air horns |
| Sis Bates | Base stealer | High tech radar visor | Left handed batting stance | Curly bubble ponytail | Loud air horns |
| Montana Fouts | Bunt master | High tech radar visor | Left handed batting stance | Slicked back visor bun | Soggy infield clay |
| Kelly Barnhill | Outfield glider | Super grip pine tar | Right handed batting stance | Curly bubble ponytail | Soggy infield clay |
| Keilani Ricketts | Fastpitch fireballer | Weighted batting gloves | Right handed batting stance | Curly bubble ponytail | Loud air horns |
| Kinzie Hansen | Base stealer | Weighted batting gloves | Left handed batting stance | Slicked back visor bun | Bright stadium lights |
| Skylar Wallace | Bunt master | Golden cleat spikes | Right handed batting stance | Curly bubble ponytail | Loud air horns |
Clue 1
Addition
To find the first clue we need to count the softballs in the dugout. Help the coach tally the buckets of yellow balls.
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
6068
3170
5656
T
6068
3170
9419
5656
6590
6142
3485
5656
5992
7970
3485
T
6068
9324
5656
8058
4528
8058
4528
8058
6142
8058
4528
4314
9419
5992
3485
4528
3177 + 2891 =T
6143 + 3276 =I
5058 + 4266 =W
3790 + 4180 =N
1979 + 2335 =V
4741 + 3317 =A
2507 + 3149 =E
1961 + 4031 =S
1529 + 2999 =R
2318 + 4272 =F
2688 + 3454 =D
1464 + 2021 =O
1407 + 1763 =H
0/13 letters found
Clue 2
Rounding
The radar gun caught a fast throw but the digital screen is cracked. Round the speed to the nearest ten to clear the screen.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
L
170
70
20
230
3700
20
5000
5000
230
110
50
700
4300
230
3000
90
70
50
70
L
170
70
20
230
700
4300
230
130
70
1100
5000
290
Round 167 to the nearest tenL
Round 133 to the nearest tenH
Round 5,120 to the nearest thousandO
Round 74 to the nearest tenE
Round 290 to the nearest tenX
Round 86 to the nearest tenW
Round 3,669 to the nearest hundredY
Round 4,326 to the nearest hundredN
Round 690 to the nearest hundredI
Round 54 to the nearest tenR
Round 228 to the nearest tenT
Round 1,089 to the nearest hundredB
Round 16 to the nearest tenF
Round 111 to the nearest tenP
Round 3,035 to the nearest thousandS
0/15 letters found
Clue 3
Subtraction
The team lost some batting helmets when the gear bag spilled. Subtract the missing gear to see what is left.
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
6544
5810
6263
8374
8424
8374
4108
6263
1242
T
6544
8374
5810
6319
5625
5066
2981
5625
3013
5625
1737
5831
6319
7947
3440
7873
7947
8424
5758
5810
7947
6319
5066
8374
7305 - 761 =T
8856 - 3025 =F
7219 - 3111 =P
9385 - 961 =U
8250 - 377 =L
11113 - 3166 =O
8435 - 2116 =R
10048 - 1674 =S
5781 - 4539 =C
7254 - 4241 =W
9601 - 3791 =H
4842 - 3105 =Y
6989 - 4008 =K
7407 - 3967 =M
8195 - 1932 =E
6344 - 586 =D
6001 - 935 =N
7804 - 2179 =A
0/18 letters found
Clue 4
Multiplication facts (1-12)
The grandstands are packed with cheering fans. Multiply the number of rows by the seats in each row to find the total.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
W
99
42
7
56
60
120
3
28
54
60
120
44
121
6
25
110
70
27
110
42
28
7
56
70
25
30
60
30
30
14
42
9 × 11 =W
11 × 11 =Y
2 × 7 =L
4 × 7 =S
3 × 10 =B
9 × 6 =P
4 × 11 =K
12 × 5 =U
10 × 12 =N
6 × 7 =E
3 × 9 =T
7 × 8 =O
1 × 7 =F
11 × 10 =I
2 × 3 =H
10 × 7 =R
1 × 3 =D
5 × 5 =A
0/18 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
The umpire wants to share orange slices evenly with the outfielders. Divide the slices to get 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
77 ÷ 11 = ?
28 ÷ 7 = ?
70 ÷ 7 = ?
12 ÷ 2 = ?
16 ÷ 8 = ?
6 ÷ 2 = ?
99 ÷ 11 = ?
12 ÷ 1 = ?
20 ÷ 4 = ?
6 ÷ 6 = ?
40 ÷ 5 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain slid safely into third base, then wiped pine tar on the bench.
2.The villain threw a blinding fastpitch softball, then dropped heavy batting gloves.
3.The villain slid safely into third base, then checked their high tech radar visor.
4.The villain slid safely into third base, then dropped heavy batting gloves.
5.The villain slid safely into third base, then left shiny cleat marks in the dirt.
6.The villain hit a massive home run ball, then swung a glowing bat to escape.
7.The villain executed a sneaky drag bunt, then wiped pine tar on the bench.
8.The villain threw a blinding fastpitch softball, then checked their high tech radar visor.
9.The villain executed a sneaky drag bunt, then dropped heavy batting gloves.
10.The villain hit a massive home run ball, then left shiny cleat marks in the dirt.
11.The villain slid safely into third base, then swung a glowing bat to escape.
12.The villain made a diving catch in center field, then left shiny cleat marks in the dirt.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Mystery of the Missing Golden Softball
Culprit: Valerie Cagle (Base stealer · Glow in the dark bat · Left handed batting stance · Curly bubble ponytail · Loud air horns)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE THIEF DOES NOT WEAR A RADAR VISOR"3177 + 2891 = 6068 (T) · 6143 + 3276 = 9419 (I) · 5058 + 4266 = 9324 (W) · 3790 + 4180 = 7970 (N) · 1979 + 2335 = 4314 (V) · 4741 + 3317 = 8058 (A) · 2507 + 3149 = 5656 (E) · 1961 + 4031 = 5992 (S) · 1529 + 2999 = 4528 (R) · 2318 + 4272 = 6590 (F) · 2688 + 3454 = 6142 (D) · 1464 + 2021 = 3485 (O) · 1407 + 1763 = 3170 (H)
- Clue 2 (Rounding): "LEFTY FOOTPRINTS WERE LEFT IN THE BOX"Round 167 to the nearest ten = 170 (L) · Round 133 to the nearest ten = 130 (H) · Round 5,120 to the nearest thousand = 5000 (O) · Round 74 to the nearest ten = 70 (E) · Round 290 to the nearest ten = 290 (X) · Round 86 to the nearest ten = 90 (W) · Round 3,669 to the nearest hundred = 3700 (Y) · Round 4,326 to the nearest hundred = 4300 (N) · Round 690 to the nearest hundred = 700 (I) · Round 54 to the nearest ten = 50 (R) · Round 228 to the nearest ten = 230 (T) · Round 1,089 to the nearest hundred = 1100 (B) · Round 16 to the nearest ten = 20 (F) · Round 111 to the nearest ten = 110 (P) · Round 3,035 to the nearest thousand = 3000 (S)
- Clue 3 (Subtraction): "THE SUSPECT SHRANK AWAY FROM LOUD HORNS"7305 - 761 = 6544 (T) · 8856 - 3025 = 5831 (F) · 7219 - 3111 = 4108 (P) · 9385 - 961 = 8424 (U) · 8250 - 377 = 7873 (L) · 11113 - 3166 = 7947 (O) · 8435 - 2116 = 6319 (R) · 10048 - 1674 = 8374 (S) · 5781 - 4539 = 1242 (C) · 7254 - 4241 = 3013 (W) · 9601 - 3791 = 5810 (H) · 4842 - 3105 = 1737 (Y) · 6989 - 4008 = 2981 (K) · 7407 - 3967 = 3440 (M) · 8195 - 1932 = 6263 (E) · 6344 - 586 = 5758 (D) · 6001 - 935 = 5066 (N) · 7804 - 2179 = 5625 (A)
- Clue 4 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "WE FOUND SPUNKY HAIR TIES FOR A BUBBLE"9 × 11 = 99 (W) · 11 × 11 = 121 (Y) · 2 × 7 = 14 (L) · 4 × 7 = 28 (S) · 3 × 10 = 30 (B) · 9 × 6 = 54 (P) · 4 × 11 = 44 (K) · 12 × 5 = 60 (U) · 10 × 12 = 120 (N) · 6 × 7 = 42 (E) · 3 × 9 = 27 (T) · 7 × 8 = 56 (O) · 1 × 7 = 7 (F) · 11 × 10 = 110 (I) · 2 × 3 = 6 (H) · 10 × 7 = 70 (R) · 1 × 3 = 3 (D) · 5 × 5 = 25 (A)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 11) → Valerie Cagle77 ÷ 11 = 7 · 28 ÷ 7 = 4 · 70 ÷ 7 = 10 · 12 ÷ 2 = 6 · 16 ÷ 8 = 2 · 6 ÷ 2 = 3 · 99 ÷ 11 = 9 · 12 ÷ 1 = 12 · 20 ÷ 4 = 5 · 6 ÷ 6 = 1 · 40 ÷ 5 = 8
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 4 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Rounding, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Mystery of the Missing Golden Softball — set in the Sunnyvale Softball Complex
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects