Math Mysteries
🚀 Soccer, Robots, Minecraft, SGrade 3Reading: grades 3-4AdditionSubtractionBar modelsMultiplicationDivision

The Orbit Arena Glitch

The Interstellar Blocky Soccer Cup is in trouble! A rogue Glitch Player has hacked the stadium, stolen the golden championship trophy, and trapped Referee Gizmo in a redstone cage. We need to solve the math puzzles, find the clues, and stop the glitch before the final whistle!

Suspects

Possible suspects

Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.

21 of 21 still in play
NameMain Soccer SkillSpecial Robot GearKicking FootHelmet MohawkRobot Weakness
Ney-tron StarGravity JumpSolar ChargeRight footed kickerNeon Green MohawkRust spray
Jude Beam-inghamRocket KickJetpack BoostLeft footed kickerBright Orange MohawkMagnet traps
Marcus Rush-botBlock WallRedstone SparkLeft footed kickerBright Orange MohawkRust spray
Sam Kerr-circuitTurbo TackleRedstone SparkRight footed kickerElectric Blue MohawkMagnet traps
Bruno Frame-rateTurbo TackleRedstone SparkLeft footed kickerElectric Blue MohawkWater blocks
Antoine Glitch-manTurbo TacklePixel ShieldLeft footed kickerElectric Blue MohawkWater blocks
Alex Morgan-tronBlock WallJetpack BoostRight footed kickerBright Orange MohawkMagnet traps
Harry KineticGravity JumpPortal WarpLeft footed kickerElectric Blue MohawkWater blocks
Luis Solar-ezTurbo TackleRedstone SparkRight footed kickerBright Orange MohawkRust spray
Megan Rap-nodeGravity JumpSolar ChargeRight footed kickerNeon Green MohawkMagnet traps
Karim Bin-aryGravity JumpRedstone SparkRight footed kickerElectric Blue MohawkRust spray
Robert Lazer-skiGravity JumpPixel ShieldLeft footed kickerNeon Green MohawkRust spray
Son Heung-botGravity JumpPixel ShieldLeft footed kickerNeon Green MohawkWater blocks
Marta MachineRocket KickSolar ChargeRight footed kickerElectric Blue MohawkWater blocks
Cristiano Robo-naldoLaser PassSolar ChargeLeft footed kickerBright Orange MohawkMagnet traps
Christian Pixel-icTurbo TackleSolar ChargeLeft footed kickerElectric Blue MohawkWater blocks
Virgil Van BlockBlock WallSolar ChargeLeft footed kickerElectric Blue MohawkWater blocks
Mo Solar-chargerRocket KickRedstone SparkRight footed kickerElectric Blue MohawkRust spray
Kevin De BrainTurbo TacklePortal WarpRight footed kickerElectric Blue MohawkMagnet traps
Lionel Messi-botGravity JumpRedstone SparkLeft footed kickerElectric Blue MohawkMagnet traps
Kylian Block-payTurbo TacklePortal WarpLeft footed kickerNeon Green MohawkMagnet traps
Clue 1

Addition

Referee Gizmo tallies up the extra pixel soccer balls delivered to the practice field. The sum reveals a secret code on the villain.

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
873
640
336
390
421
780
T
873
781
640
500
421
240
710
336
294
465
275
336
542
973
275
T
873
841
542
336
500
275
294
T
873
240
421
377
240
294
500
542 + 331 =T
333 + 209 =S
259 + 521 =I
153 + 87 =A
602 + 371 =N
426 + 214 =H
225 + 111 =E
522 + 319 =U
176 + 214 =G
248 + 173 =L
112 + 163 =O
256 + 209 =D
345 + 365 =Y
201 + 93 =R
254 + 246 =P
521 + 260 =C
161 + 216 =W
0/17 letters found
Clue 2

Subtraction

Coach Block counts the energy cells left in the locker room after the team took their gear. The difference shows the culprit's footedness.

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
885
562
140
249
140
162
T
885
162
471
471
T
885
691
756
707
624
T
885
891
120
531
584
351
267
562
393
140
140
691
140
756
1156 - 271 =T
655 - 31 =N
643 - 81 =H
327 - 187 =E
325 - 58 =C
695 - 4 =P
716 - 185 =S
950 - 243 =I
200 - 80 =A
1194 - 303 =W
812 - 341 =O
500 - 107 =D
909 - 325 =M
258 - 96 =F
598 - 349 =L
1021 - 265 =R
732 - 381 =U
0/17 letters found
Clue 3

Bar model word problems

We map out the weight of the metal cleats compared to the normal boots using a block model. The bar model reveals the villain's weakness.

Draw a bar model to solve each word problem. Its answer reveals a letter — write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.

Someonescaredthevillainoffwith
W
49
9
60
28
32
34
27
O
 
C
 
K
 
S
 
.
Coach Block has 7 times as many rocket boots as a teammate. The teammate has 7 rocket boots. How many rocket boots does Coach Block have?
draw a bar model
Answer:W
Coach Block shares 189 pixel soccer balls equally among 7 teams. How many pixel soccer balls does each team get?
draw a bar model
Answer:L
There were 45 rocket boots in all. 36 rocket boots were used. How many rocket boots are left?
draw a bar model
Answer:A
The red team has 52 space jerseys and the blue team has 20 space jerseys. How many more space jerseys does the red team have?
draw a bar model
Answer:R
Coach Block shares 238 space jerseys equally among 7 teams. How many space jerseys does each team get?
draw a bar model
Answer:B
Coach Block has 4 times as many space jerseys as a teammate. The teammate has 7 space jerseys. How many space jerseys does Coach Block have?
draw a bar model
Answer:E
Coach Block has 6 times as many space jerseys as a teammate. The teammate has 10 space jerseys. How many space jerseys does Coach Block have?
draw a bar model
Answer:T
0/7 letters found
Clue 4

Multiplication facts (1-12)

The security droids check rows of battery crates in the cargo bay. Multiplying the crates gives us the pixel color of the suspect's mohawk.

Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.

B
55
72
3
8
36
99
49
100
144
28
4
88
12
8
72
54
144
8
108
8
16
99
3
80
14
5 × 11 =B
9 × 4 =M
3 × 1 =U
12 × 6 =L
2 × 8 =F
7 × 7 =H
9 × 12 =R
6 × 9 =S
10 × 10 =A
8 × 10 =N
8 × 1 =E
4 × 7 =K
2 × 2 =P
4 × 3 =X
12 × 12 =W
7 × 2 =D
11 × 8 =I
11 × 9 =O
0/18 letters found
Clue 5

Division facts (1-12) — the last clue

We divide the remaining trophy star-badges equally among the winning robots. The leftover amount points to 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
10 ÷ 5 = ?
18 ÷ 3 = ?
11 ÷ 1 = ?
6 ÷ 2 = ?
72 ÷ 6 = ?
1 ÷ 1 = ?
20 ÷ 4 = ?
48 ÷ 6 = ?
27 ÷ 3 = ?
30 ÷ 3 = ?
28 ÷ 7 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain activated a turbo tackle, then zoomed away using a jetpack boost.
2.The villain activated a turbo tackle, then powered up with a solar charge.
3.The villain activated a turbo tackle, then teleported through a portal warp.
4.The villain made a huge gravity jump, then zapped the stadium with a redstone spark.
5.The villain unleashed a rocket kick, then teleported through a portal warp.
6.The villain built a block wall, then powered up with a solar charge.
7.The villain activated a turbo tackle, then blocked the goal with a pixel shield.
8.The villain unleashed a rocket kick, then zapped the stadium with a redstone spark.
9.The villain fired a laser pass, then zapped the stadium with a redstone spark.
10.The villain built a block wall, then teleported through a portal warp.
11.The villain activated a turbo tackle, then zapped the stadium with a redstone spark.
12.The villain made a huge gravity jump, then zoomed away using a jetpack boost.
Solve it

Name the culprit

Choose the one suspect left standing.

About this mystery

Grade level
Grade 3 math
Math topics
Addition, Subtraction, Bar models, Multiplication, Division
Reading level
grades 3-4
Theme
The Orbit Arena Glitch — set in the blocky floating Orbit Arena in deep space
Format
Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
Solution
One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects

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