Grade 10Reading: grades 7-9Pythagorean theoremSquare rootsExponentsOrder of operations
The Mystery of the Whispering Temple
The Golden Artifact has vanished from the Jungle Basecamp! The Chief Archeologist was distracted by a wild bird, leaving the camp empty. Only one of the expedition members could have bypassed the security grid. It is up to you, the Junior Rangers, to solve the clues, track down the Rogue Explorer, and recover the artifact!
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 Tool | Scout Companion | Watch Placement | Cap Color | Tricked By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ernest Shackleton | Grappling Hook | Iguana Companion | Right Wrist | Khaki Cap | Fake Snakes |
| Matthew Henson | Machete | Fennec Fox | Right Wrist | Crimson Cap | Recorded Growls |
| Nellie Bly | Laser Torch | Scout Ferret | Left Wrist | Khaki Cap | Fake Snakes |
| Charles Darwin | Machete | Scout Ferret | Right Wrist | Crimson Cap | Fake Snakes |
| Sacagawea | Machete | Fennec Fox | Right Wrist | Khaki Cap | Recorded Growls |
| James Cook | Metal Detector | Capuchin Monkey | Right Wrist | Khaki Cap | Recorded Growls |
| Robert Peary | Sonic Compass | Macaw Companion | Right Wrist | Crimson Cap | Fake Snakes |
| Mae Jemison | Sonic Compass | Scout Ferret | Left Wrist | Crimson Cap | Fake Snakes |
| Jane Goodall | Sonic Compass | Capuchin Monkey | Left Wrist | Crimson Cap | Recorded Growls |
| Sylvia Earle | Metal Detector | Macaw Companion | Right Wrist | Navy Cap | Mirror Illusion |
| Lewis Clark | Metal Detector | Macaw Companion | Left Wrist | Navy Cap | Recorded Growls |
| Amelia Earhart | Metal Detector | Iguana Companion | Right Wrist | Navy Cap | Fake Snakes |
| Lara Croft | Laser Torch | Macaw Companion | Right Wrist | Khaki Cap | Mirror Illusion |
| Yuri Gagarin | Grappling Hook | Scout Ferret | Left Wrist | Khaki Cap | Recorded Growls |
| Ibn Battuta | Metal Detector | Fennec Fox | Right Wrist | Khaki Cap | Fake Snakes |
| Thor Heyerdahl | Metal Detector | Macaw Companion | Right Wrist | Crimson Cap | Recorded Growls |
| Roald Amundsen | Laser Torch | Fennec Fox | Right Wrist | Khaki Cap | Fake Snakes |
| Steve Irwin | Grappling Hook | Scout Ferret | Right Wrist | Khaki Cap | Fake Snakes |
| Indiana Jones | Sonic Compass | Capuchin Monkey | Right Wrist | Khaki Cap | Fake Snakes |
| Ranulph Fiennes | Sonic Compass | Macaw Companion | Right Wrist | Crimson Cap | Mirror Illusion |
| Jacques Cousteau | Metal Detector | Macaw Companion | Left Wrist | Khaki Cap | Recorded Growls |
Clue 1
Pythagorean theorem
To calculate the shortcut distance between two campsite lookouts across the canyon, the junior rangers map out a right triangle of ropes.
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
30
82
41
17
52
17
125
41
87
T
30
26
39
41
17
5
39
T
30
T
30
68
51
111
41
10
29
25
T
30
82
51
5
25
74
52
51
5
51
legs 18 and 24, hypotenuse =T
legs 7 and 24, hypotenuse =I
legs 60 and 63, hypotenuse =C
legs 10 and 24, hypotenuse =D
legs 15 and 36, hypotenuse =O
legs 24 and 45, hypotenuse =A
legs 9 and 40, hypotenuse =E
legs 3 and 4, hypotenuse =N
legs 8 and 15, hypotenuse =S
legs 20 and 48, hypotenuse =U
legs 6 and 8, hypotenuse =L
legs 32 and 60, hypotenuse =R
legs 35 and 120, hypotenuse =P
legs 36 and 105, hypotenuse =V
legs 18 and 80, hypotenuse =H
legs 24 and 70, hypotenuse =G
legs 20 and 21, hypotenuse =W
0/17 letters found
Clue 2
Square roots
The expedition team discovers a perfectly square ancient stone floor tiles layout and must calculate the side length from the total area.
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
8
4
24
22
16
10
14
T
8
7
24
18
11
22
T
8
4
24
5
11
7
18
T
8
16
4
10
17
T
8
4
24
11
5
12
4
T
8
7
11
5
22
T
8
sqrt(64) =T
sqrt(256) =C
sqrt(144) =G
sqrt(100) =O
sqrt(484) =S
sqrt(324) =A
sqrt(49) =W
sqrt(25) =I
sqrt(576) =E
sqrt(289) =N
sqrt(196) =U
sqrt(121) =R
sqrt(16) =H
0/13 letters found
Clue 3
Exponents
A colony of bioluminescent cave beetles doubles in size every hour, requiring the team to compute the power formula for the total count.
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
64
400
4
T
64
125
361
36
4
T
64
9
169
4
125
169
9
100
225
243
27
27
100
4
256
128
225
243
125
121
4
169
512
125
121
4
169
8^2 =T
11^2 =K
19^2 =R
4^4 =D
8^3 =N
3^2 =I
20^2 =H
2^2 =E
13^2 =S
15^2 =Y
2^7 =B
10^2 =L
6^2 =G
3^5 =F
5^3 =A
3^3 =O
0/16 letters found
Clue 4
Order of operations
The quartermaster tally sheet for gear crates uses complex brackets to group ropes, rations, and carabiners into equal team distributions.
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
21
13
94
97
75
90
97
94
T
21
T
21
13
41
94
81
90
103
74
27
27
94
90
75
40
13
75
40
41
20
75
27
11 × 4 - 23 =T
60 + 3 × 5 =A
5 × 8 - 20 =C
12 × 11 - 29 =R
9 × 10 - 16 =O
9 × 5 - 4 =I
5 × 11 - 28 =P
10 × 12 - 26 =E
7 × 6 - 2 =K
10 × 10 - 10 =D
5 × 8 - 27 =H
69 + 3 × 4 =F
79 + 9 × 2 =G
0/13 letters found
Clue 5
Square roots — the last clue
The search rescue drone maps a square zone of the dense canopy, and the team needs to find its side width from the total square meters.
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
sqrt(81) = ?
sqrt(49) = ?
sqrt(25) = ?
sqrt(9) = ?
sqrt(64) = ?
sqrt(144) = ?
sqrt(4) = ?
sqrt(100) = ?
sqrt(16) = ?
sqrt(1) = ?
sqrt(36) = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain uncovers hidden metal vault doors with a metal detector, then sends a clever ferret to sneak through the vents.
2.The villain navigates the misty labyrinth using a sonic compass, then rests while a pet iguana warms up on a rock.
3.The villain clears the dense jungle path with a machete, then signals a scout macaw to watch the skies.
4.The villain swings across the gorge using a grappling hook, then signals a scout macaw to watch the skies.
5.The villain navigates the misty labyrinth using a sonic compass, then shares a banana with a capuchin companion.
6.The villain swings across the gorge using a grappling hook, then shares a banana with a capuchin companion.
7.The villain swings across the gorge using a grappling hook, then sends a clever ferret to sneak through the vents.
8.The villain slices open the ancient vines with a laser torch, then sends a clever ferret to sneak through the vents.
9.The villain slices open the ancient vines with a laser torch, then follows a quick fennec fox through the secret tunnels.
10.The villain uncovers hidden metal vault doors with a metal detector, then shares a banana with a capuchin companion.
11.The villain uncovers hidden metal vault doors with a metal detector, then follows a quick fennec fox through the secret tunnels.
12.The villain clears the dense jungle path with a machete, then shares a banana with a capuchin companion.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Mystery of the Whispering Temple
Culprit: Ibn Battuta (Metal Detector · Fennec Fox · Right Wrist · Khaki Cap · Fake Snakes)
- Clue 1 (Pythagorean theorem): "THE SUSPECT DOES NOT TRAVEL WITH AN IGUANA"legs 18 and 24, hypotenuse = 30 (T) · legs 7 and 24, hypotenuse = 25 (I) · legs 60 and 63, hypotenuse = 87 (C) · legs 10 and 24, hypotenuse = 26 (D) · legs 15 and 36, hypotenuse = 39 (O) · legs 24 and 45, hypotenuse = 51 (A) · legs 9 and 40, hypotenuse = 41 (E) · legs 3 and 4, hypotenuse = 5 (N) · legs 8 and 15, hypotenuse = 17 (S) · legs 20 and 48, hypotenuse = 52 (U) · legs 6 and 8, hypotenuse = 10 (L) · legs 32 and 60, hypotenuse = 68 (R) · legs 35 and 120, hypotenuse = 125 (P) · legs 36 and 105, hypotenuse = 111 (V) · legs 18 and 80, hypotenuse = 82 (H) · legs 24 and 70, hypotenuse = 74 (G) · legs 20 and 21, hypotenuse = 29 (W)
- Clue 2 (Square roots): "THE SCOUT WEARS THEIR WATCH ON THE RIGHT WRIST"sqrt(64) = 8 (T) · sqrt(256) = 16 (C) · sqrt(144) = 12 (G) · sqrt(100) = 10 (O) · sqrt(484) = 22 (S) · sqrt(324) = 18 (A) · sqrt(49) = 7 (W) · sqrt(25) = 5 (I) · sqrt(576) = 24 (E) · sqrt(289) = 17 (N) · sqrt(196) = 14 (U) · sqrt(121) = 11 (R) · sqrt(16) = 4 (H)
- Clue 3 (Exponents): "THE TARGET IS EASILY FOOLED BY FAKE SNAKES"8^2 = 64 (T) · 11^2 = 121 (K) · 19^2 = 361 (R) · 4^4 = 256 (D) · 8^3 = 512 (N) · 3^2 = 9 (I) · 20^2 = 400 (H) · 2^2 = 4 (E) · 13^2 = 169 (S) · 15^2 = 225 (Y) · 2^7 = 128 (B) · 10^2 = 100 (L) · 6^2 = 36 (G) · 3^5 = 243 (F) · 5^3 = 125 (A) · 3^3 = 27 (O)
- Clue 4 (Order of operations): "THE GADGET THIEF DROPPED A KHAKI CAP"11 × 4 - 23 = 21 (T) · 60 + 3 × 5 = 75 (A) · 5 × 8 - 20 = 20 (C) · 12 × 11 - 29 = 103 (R) · 9 × 10 - 16 = 74 (O) · 9 × 5 - 4 = 41 (I) · 5 × 11 - 28 = 27 (P) · 10 × 12 - 26 = 94 (E) · 7 × 6 - 2 = 40 (K) · 10 × 10 - 10 = 90 (D) · 5 × 8 - 27 = 13 (H) · 69 + 3 × 4 = 81 (F) · 79 + 9 × 2 = 97 (G)
- Clue 5 (Square roots): surviving statement (box 11) → Ibn Battutasqrt(81) = 9 · sqrt(49) = 7 · sqrt(25) = 5 · sqrt(9) = 3 · sqrt(64) = 8 · sqrt(144) = 12 · sqrt(4) = 2 · sqrt(100) = 10 · sqrt(16) = 4 · sqrt(1) = 1 · sqrt(36) = 6
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 10 math
- Math topics
- Pythagorean theorem, Square roots, Exponents, Order of operations
- Reading level
- grades 7-9
- Theme
- The Mystery of the Whispering Temple — set in An ancient jungle valley filled with forgotten ruins and high-tech treehouses.
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects