Grade 6Reading: grades 3-4Place valueAdditionSubtractionSkip countingMissing addends

The Secret Island Map Caper

A rogue explorer snuck into our island base camp and snatched the Golden Compass map! The Junior Explorers must track them down before they find the hidden treasure first.

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	Adventure Gear	Escape Tool	Footprint Type	Hat Style	Fear
Charles Lindbergh	Climbing Rope	Glider Wings	Clean Sneakers	Safari Cap	Squeaky Bats
Nellie Bly	Spyglass	Mini Scooter	Clean Sneakers	Pith Helmet	Spiky Cacti
Ben Pathfinder	Grappling Hook	Inflatable Raft	Muddy Boots	Pith Helmet	Squeaky Bats
Maya Hunter	Pocket Compass	Inflatable Raft	Muddy Boots	Bandana	Squeaky Bats
Jack Falcon	Climbing Rope	Rocket Boots	Clean Sneakers	Pith Helmet	Spiky Cacti
Roald Amundsen	Grappling Hook	Zipline Pulley	Clean Sneakers	Safari Cap	Spiky Cacti
Lara Croft	Grappling Hook	Inflatable Raft	Clean Sneakers	Bandana	Spiky Cacti
Zoe Ranger	Grappling Hook	Mini Scooter	Clean Sneakers	Safari Cap	Spiky Cacti
Sally Ride	Climbing Rope	Zipline Pulley	Muddy Boots	Safari Cap	Spiky Cacti
Hardy Boy	Spyglass	Glider Wings	Clean Sneakers	Bandana	Wild Monkeys
Allan Quatermain	Metal Detector	Glider Wings	Clean Sneakers	Pith Helmet	Squeaky Bats
Sacagawea	Metal Detector	Zipline Pulley	Clean Sneakers	Safari Cap	Spiky Cacti
Dora Explorer	Spyglass	Rocket Boots	Clean Sneakers	Safari Cap	Spiky Cacti
Leo Wilder	Metal Detector	Rocket Boots	Clean Sneakers	Safari Cap	Spiky Cacti
Nancy Drew	Spyglass	Zipline Pulley	Clean Sneakers	Bandana	Spiky Cacti
Steve Irwin	Grappling Hook	Inflatable Raft	Clean Sneakers	Safari Cap	Spiky Cacti
Indiana Jones	Climbing Rope	Inflatable Raft	Clean Sneakers	Pith Helmet	Wild Monkeys
Amelia Earhart	Pocket Compass	Mini Scooter	Clean Sneakers	Pith Helmet	Squeaky Bats
Ranulph Fiennes	Grappling Hook	Zipline Pulley	Clean Sneakers	Safari Cap	Squeaky Bats
Ibn Battuta	Metal Detector	Zipline Pulley	Clean Sneakers	Pith Helmet	Squeaky Bats
Phileas Fogg	Spyglass	Mini Scooter	Muddy Boots	Bandana	Spiky Cacti

Clue 1

Place value

The base camp lockbox has a digital keypad. We need to find the value of the tens digit to open it and read 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.

6000

600

800

6000

600

800

8000

2000

800

4000

7000

2000

6000

1000

4000

800

700

2000

200

800

6000

900

2000

6000

4000

What is the value of the 6 in 56,423?T

What is the value of the 7 in 453,171?C

What is the value of the 8 in 468,130?D

What is the value of the 7 in 327,665?N

What is the value of the 8 in 252,865?E

What is the value of the 2 in 92,917?O

What is the value of the 9 in 652,950?B

What is the value of the 5 in 41,756?I

What is the value of the 1 in 631,703?U

What is the value of the 7 in 196,789?R

What is the value of the 3 in 688,234?F

What is the value of the 2 in 393,299?K

What is the value of the 4 in 824,978?S

What is the value of the 6 in 81,627?H

0/14 letters found

Clue 2

Addition

We found two torn scraps of paper with numbers on them. Adding these page numbers together reveals the next location on our map.

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

2225

6797

8474

2225

5237

6294

5212

4704

6797

6294

4252

4704

5212

3856

6797

2225

9756

4837

8474

6294

9759

8474

5237

5781

5237

5212

4837

2225

9756

905 + 1320 =T

1183 + 2673 =G

1638 + 3599 =R

2468 + 3313 =P

2953 + 1751 =L

1872 + 3340 =I

4527 + 5232 =K

3685 + 4789 =E

2853 + 1399 =D

6567 + 3189 =S

2868 + 3426 =A

2064 + 2773 =N

3430 + 3367 =H

0/13 letters found

Clue 3

Subtraction

Our canteen water is dropping fast. Subtracting the leaked water from our starting total gives us the secret code to open the cave door.

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

8665

8759

7422

8665

8759

8394

7422

1085

1607

1122

7457

8394

1398

7422

1398

8665

8759

7422

7055

6439

8394

2010

7625

4746

1607

4746

8665

8394

10386 - 1721 =T

5660 - 4538 =V

9802 - 1043 =H

11524 - 4469 =S

6980 - 541 =P

8638 - 1181 =O

3361 - 1963 =D

5039 - 3954 =F

10205 - 1811 =I

4803 - 57 =C

10472 - 2847 =Y

6102 - 4495 =A

7581 - 159 =E

4582 - 2572 =K

0/14 letters found

Clue 4

Skip counting

The stone steps in the temple are numbered in a pattern. Skip counting by fives helps us skip the trap doors and find the hidden note.

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

Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___, 21, 24W

Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28F

Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27I

Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70A

Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110R

Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14E

Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100O

Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45P

Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30C

Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, ___, 40, 50N

Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39U

Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18D

Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55S

Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48T

0/14 letters found

Clue 5

Missing addends — the last clue

To balance the ancient stone scale, we need to find the missing weight. Solving this puzzle opens the secret compartment containing the last 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

22 + ___ = 25

16 + ___ = 26

40 + ___ = 44

37 + ___ = 46

17 + ___ = 22

35 + ___ = 37

15 + ___ = 16

21 + ___ = 27

18 + ___ = 29

22 + ___ = 34

28 + ___ = 35

Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer

1.The villain searched the sand with a metal detector, then soared away on glider wings.

2.The villain scaled the stone wall with a climbing rope, then zoomed down the dirt path on a mini scooter.

3.The villain swung across the canyon using a grappling hook, then escaped down the wire with a zipline pulley.

4.The villain searched the sand with a metal detector, then escaped down the wire with a zipline pulley.

5.The villain scanned the horizon with a spyglass, then soared away on glider wings.

6.The villain swung across the canyon using a grappling hook, then blasted over the trees using rocket boots.

7.The villain scaled the stone wall with a climbing rope, then paddled down the river in an inflatable raft.

8.The villain swung across the canyon using a grappling hook, then paddled down the river in an inflatable raft.

9.The villain scanned the horizon with a spyglass, then paddled down the river in an inflatable raft.

10.The villain swung across the canyon using a grappling hook, then zoomed down the dirt path on a mini scooter.

11.The villain scaled the stone wall with a climbing rope, then blasted over the trees using rocket boots.

12.The villain searched the sand with a metal detector, then zoomed down the dirt path on a mini scooter.

Solve it

Name the culprit

Choose the one suspect left standing.

Answer Key — The Secret Island Map Caper

Culprit: Steve Irwin (Grappling Hook · Inflatable Raft · Clean Sneakers · Safari Cap · Spiky Cacti)

Clue 1 (Place value): "THE THIEF DOES NOT USE ROCKET BOOTS"
What is the value of the 6 in 56,423? = 6000 (T) · What is the value of the 7 in 453,171? = 70 (C) · What is the value of the 8 in 468,130? = 8000 (D) · What is the value of the 7 in 327,665? = 7000 (N) · What is the value of the 8 in 252,865? = 800 (E) · What is the value of the 2 in 92,917? = 2000 (O) · What is the value of the 9 in 652,950? = 900 (B) · What is the value of the 5 in 41,756? = 50 (I) · What is the value of the 1 in 631,703? = 1000 (U) · What is the value of the 7 in 196,789? = 700 (R) · What is the value of the 3 in 688,234? = 30 (F) · What is the value of the 2 in 393,299? = 200 (K) · What is the value of the 4 in 824,978? = 4000 (S) · What is the value of the 6 in 81,627? = 600 (H)
Clue 2 (Addition): "THE TRAIL HAD LIGHT SNEAKER PRINTS"
905 + 1320 = 2225 (T) · 1183 + 2673 = 3856 (G) · 1638 + 3599 = 5237 (R) · 2468 + 3313 = 5781 (P) · 2953 + 1751 = 4704 (L) · 1872 + 3340 = 5212 (I) · 4527 + 5232 = 9759 (K) · 3685 + 4789 = 8474 (E) · 2853 + 1399 = 4252 (D) · 6567 + 3189 = 9756 (S) · 2868 + 3426 = 6294 (A) · 2064 + 2773 = 4837 (N) · 3430 + 3367 = 6797 (H)
Clue 3 (Subtraction): "THE THIEF AVOIDED THE SPIKY CACTI"
10386 - 1721 = 8665 (T) · 5660 - 4538 = 1122 (V) · 9802 - 1043 = 8759 (H) · 11524 - 4469 = 7055 (S) · 6980 - 541 = 6439 (P) · 8638 - 1181 = 7457 (O) · 3361 - 1963 = 1398 (D) · 5039 - 3954 = 1085 (F) · 10205 - 1811 = 8394 (I) · 4803 - 57 = 4746 (C) · 10472 - 2847 = 7625 (Y) · 6102 - 4495 = 1607 (A) · 7581 - 159 = 7422 (E) · 4582 - 2572 = 2010 (K)
Clue 4 (Skip counting): "WE FOUND A TORN SAFARI CAP"
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___, 21, 24 = 18 (W) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28 = 24 (F) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (I) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70 = 60 (A) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110 = 90 (R) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (E) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100 = 80 (O) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (P) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30 = 26 (C) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, ___, 40, 50 = 30 (N) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (U) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18 = 14 (D) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55 = 45 (S) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48 = 42 (T)
Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 8) → Steve Irwin
22 + ___ = 25 = 3 · 16 + ___ = 26 = 10 · 40 + ___ = 44 = 4 · 37 + ___ = 46 = 9 · 17 + ___ = 22 = 5 · 35 + ___ = 37 = 2 · 15 + ___ = 16 = 1 · 21 + ___ = 27 = 6 · 18 + ___ = 29 = 11 · 22 + ___ = 34 = 12 · 28 + ___ = 35 = 7

About this mystery

Grade level: Grade 6 math
Math topics: Place value, Addition, Subtraction, Skip counting, Missing addends
Reading level: grades 3-4
Theme: The Secret Island Map Caper — set in Adventure Island
Format: Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
Solution: One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects

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