Grade 7Reading: grades 7-9IntegersWord problemsMulti-step word problemsPercentagesTwo-step equations
The Summit Station Sabotage
The storm of the century is rolling in, and someone has sabotaged the peak-top weather transmitter. Without it, the expedition party down in the valley will be lost in the blizzard. The team has tracked the culprit to a high-altitude base camp, but they are hiding among the crew. Use your logic, math skills, and the clues left behind to unmask the rogue climber before the storm hits.
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 | Traversal Gear | Specialized Gadget | Observed Stance | Gear Accent Color | Tactical Countermeasure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polo | thermal glider | plasma torch | left-handed stance | neon orange beanie | sub-zero freeze spray |
| Cousteau | thermal glider | holo-decoy emitter | right-handed stance | cobalt blue visor | ultra-bright flare |
| Amelia | rocket-boosted boots | holo-decoy emitter | left-handed stance | cobalt blue visor | sub-zero freeze spray |
| Tasman | rocket-boosted boots | plasma torch | left-handed stance | neon orange beanie | ultra-bright flare |
| Kingsley | sonic ice pick | stealth cloak | left-handed stance | neon orange beanie | magnetic tripwire |
| Hudson | sonic ice pick | decryption glove | left-handed stance | neon orange beanie | ultra-bright flare |
| Fossett | laser grappling hook | miniature drone | right-handed stance | cobalt blue visor | sub-zero freeze spray |
| Clark | rocket-boosted boots | holo-decoy emitter | left-handed stance | neon orange beanie | sub-zero freeze spray |
| Croft | rocket-boosted boots | decryption glove | left-handed stance | frost white helmet | magnetic tripwire |
| Solo | laser grappling hook | stealth cloak | left-handed stance | neon orange beanie | sub-zero freeze spray |
| Lewis | rocket-boosted boots | decryption glove | left-handed stance | neon orange beanie | sub-zero freeze spray |
| Hillary | mag-boot snowshoes | plasma torch | left-handed stance | frost white helmet | magnetic tripwire |
| Bly | rocket-boosted boots | holo-decoy emitter | right-handed stance | neon orange beanie | sub-zero freeze spray |
| Shackleton | sonic ice pick | plasma torch | right-handed stance | cobalt blue visor | ultra-bright flare |
| Drake | mag-boot snowshoes | holo-decoy emitter | left-handed stance | neon orange beanie | ultra-bright flare |
| Earhart | sonic ice pick | holo-decoy emitter | right-handed stance | frost white helmet | magnetic tripwire |
| Fremont | laser grappling hook | holo-decoy emitter | left-handed stance | neon orange beanie | magnetic tripwire |
| Henson | thermal glider | miniature drone | left-handed stance | neon orange beanie | sub-zero freeze spray |
| Zheng | mag-boot snowshoes | miniature drone | right-handed stance | neon orange beanie | ultra-bright flare |
| Vespucci | laser grappling hook | stealth cloak | right-handed stance | neon orange beanie | magnetic tripwire |
| Magellan | thermal glider | plasma torch | right-handed stance | cobalt blue visor | ultra-bright flare |
Clue 1
Integers
To secure the perimeter, we must organize the heavy climbing gear. The supply room clerk needs to pack several crates with carabiners and harnesses, factoring in broken gear replacements and split shipments.
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
4
11
5
12
6
17
20
5
29
22
27
25
1
5
12
22
3
29
7
10
3
10
T
4
5
3
22
T
4
11
29
22
6
3
7
(-12) + 16 =T
3 - (-8) =H
6 - (-4) =S
(-1) + 2 =B
(-10) + 32 =L
(-7) + 14 =K
1 - (-4) =E
(-5) + 25 =U
(-1) + 28 =I
6 - (-11) =G
24 - (-1) =M
24 - (-5) =C
(-13) + 19 =O
(-10) + 13 =A
(-2) + 14 =R
0/15 letters found
Clue 2
Word problems
The expedition team has mapped the distance to the next ridge. Solve the distance and speed calculations to figure out how much fuel remains in our snow-scooters.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
L
13
71
65
98
87
53
78
D
71
D
S
98
53
78
C
71
The Quartermaster found 6 decoder badges yesterday and 7 more today. How many decoder badges in all?L
There were 86 flare guns. 15 were used up. How many flare guns are left?E
The Quartermaster found 79 decoder badges yesterday and 19 more today. How many decoder badges in all?T
There were 106 climbing ropes. 28 were used up. How many climbing ropes are left?N
There were 65 decoder badges. 12 were used up. How many decoder badges are left?A
There were 125 grappling hooks. 38 were used up. How many grappling hooks are left?H
The Quartermaster found 38 climbing ropes yesterday and 27 more today. How many climbing ropes in all?F
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Multi-step word problems
The temperature is dropping fast as we climb the north face. We need to track the changing elevation levels and sub-zero temperature drops to calibrate our thermal suits.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith .
S
59
81
79
51
10
63
52
F
63
10
10
51
10
S
59
P
63
A
Y
There were 208 decoder badges in all. 31 decoder badges were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 3 the Recon Squad. How many decoder badges did each get?S
The Quartermaster filled 2 boxes with 7 grappling hooks each, then found 49 more grappling hooks. How many grappling hooks are there in all?R
There were 450 decoder badges in all. 34 decoder badges were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 8 the Recon Squad. How many decoder badges did each get?O
There were 167 supply crates in all. 2 the Recon Squad used 7 supply crates each. The other 3 the Recon Squad shared the rest equally. How many supply crates did each of the other the Recon Squad get?Z
The Quartermaster collected 104 grappling hooks in the morning and 212 grappling hooks in the afternoon, then split them equally among 4 the Recon Squad. How many grappling hooks did each get?B
The Quartermaster earned 7 grappling hooks in each of 6 rounds, plus 53 bonus grappling hooks. Then 14 grappling hooks were lost. How many grappling hooks are left?U
There were 88 flare guns in all. 2 the Recon Squad used 14 flare guns each. The other 6 the Recon Squad shared the rest equally. How many flare guns did each of the other the Recon Squad get?E
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Percentages
The emergency backup generator is running low on power. We must calculate the exact percentage of remaining battery charge to keep the thermal shields online.
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
4
2
24
33
25
54
40
16
54
2
33
54
33
20
16
54
10
2
24
52
5
2
20
10% of 40 =W
40% of 40 =A
50% of 10 =B
5% of 200 =G
25% of 80 =R
10% of 20 =E
40% of 130 =I
5% of 800 =D
60% of 55 =O
60% of 40 =F
50% of 50 =U
50% of 108 =N
0/12 letters found
Clue 5
Two-step equations — the last clue
To unlock the secure gear locker, we need to balance the pressure valves. Solve for the unknown variable to match the correct pressure level on both lines.
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
6x + 2 = 14, x = ?
5x + 8 = 13, x = ?
2x + 8 = 16, x = ?
4x + 8 = 32, x = ?
6x + 5 = 53, x = ?
2x + 4 = 10, x = ?
3x + 10 = 25, x = ?
2x + 8 = 30, x = ?
6x + 3 = 75, x = ?
3x + 3 = 30, x = ?
4x + 2 = 42, x = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain glides silently between the icy peaks, then cuts through the main power conduits.
2.The villain boosts over the deep mountain crevasses, then distracts the guards with a double image.
3.The villain scales the sheer frozen cliff faces, then cuts through the main power conduits.
4.The villain glides silently between the icy peaks, then scouts the path ahead with a camera feed.
5.The villain scales the sheer frozen cliff faces, then reprograms the automated security grid.
6.The villain strides easily across the slippery glaciers, then cuts through the main power conduits.
7.The villain boosts over the deep mountain crevasses, then reprograms the automated security grid.
8.The villain shatters the thick defensive ice barriers, then reprograms the automated security grid.
9.The villain scales the sheer frozen cliff faces, then scouts the path ahead with a camera feed.
10.The villain strides easily across the slippery glaciers, then reprograms the automated security grid.
11.The villain shatters the thick defensive ice barriers, then slips past the motion sensors undetected.
12.The villain shatters the thick defensive ice barriers, then cuts through the main power conduits.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Summit Station Sabotage
Culprit: Lewis (rocket-boosted boots · decryption glove · left-handed stance · neon orange beanie · sub-zero freeze spray)
- Clue 1 (Integers): "THE ROGUE CLIMBER LACKS A STEALTH CLOAK"(-12) + 16 = 4 (T) · 3 - (-8) = 11 (H) · 6 - (-4) = 10 (S) · (-1) + 2 = 1 (B) · (-10) + 32 = 22 (L) · (-7) + 14 = 7 (K) · 1 - (-4) = 5 (E) · (-5) + 25 = 20 (U) · (-1) + 28 = 27 (I) · 6 - (-11) = 17 (G) · 24 - (-1) = 25 (M) · 24 - (-5) = 29 (C) · (-13) + 19 = 6 (O) · (-10) + 13 = 3 (A) · (-2) + 14 = 12 (R)
- Clue 2 (Word problems): "LEFT HANDED STANCE"The Quartermaster found 6 decoder badges yesterday and 7 more today. How many decoder badges in all? = 13 (L) · There were 86 flare guns. 15 were used up. How many flare guns are left? = 71 (E) · The Quartermaster found 79 decoder badges yesterday and 19 more today. How many decoder badges in all? = 98 (T) · There were 106 climbing ropes. 28 were used up. How many climbing ropes are left? = 78 (N) · There were 65 decoder badges. 12 were used up. How many decoder badges are left? = 53 (A) · There were 125 grappling hooks. 38 were used up. How many grappling hooks are left? = 87 (H) · The Quartermaster found 38 climbing ropes yesterday and 27 more today. How many climbing ropes in all? = 65 (F)
- Clue 3 (Multi-step word problems): "SUB ZERO FREEZE SPRAY"There were 208 decoder badges in all. 31 decoder badges were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 3 the Recon Squad. How many decoder badges did each get? = 59 (S) · The Quartermaster filled 2 boxes with 7 grappling hooks each, then found 49 more grappling hooks. How many grappling hooks are there in all? = 63 (R) · There were 450 decoder badges in all. 34 decoder badges were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 8 the Recon Squad. How many decoder badges did each get? = 52 (O) · There were 167 supply crates in all. 2 the Recon Squad used 7 supply crates each. The other 3 the Recon Squad shared the rest equally. How many supply crates did each of the other the Recon Squad get? = 51 (Z) · The Quartermaster collected 104 grappling hooks in the morning and 212 grappling hooks in the afternoon, then split them equally among 4 the Recon Squad. How many grappling hooks did each get? = 79 (B) · The Quartermaster earned 7 grappling hooks in each of 6 rounds, plus 53 bonus grappling hooks. Then 14 grappling hooks were lost. How many grappling hooks are left? = 81 (U) · There were 88 flare guns in all. 2 the Recon Squad used 14 flare guns each. The other 6 the Recon Squad shared the rest equally. How many flare guns did each of the other the Recon Squad get? = 10 (E)
- Clue 4 (Percentages): "WE FOUND A NEON ORANGE FIBER"10% of 40 = 4 (W) · 40% of 40 = 16 (A) · 50% of 10 = 5 (B) · 5% of 200 = 10 (G) · 25% of 80 = 20 (R) · 10% of 20 = 2 (E) · 40% of 130 = 52 (I) · 5% of 800 = 40 (D) · 60% of 55 = 33 (O) · 60% of 40 = 24 (F) · 50% of 50 = 25 (U) · 50% of 108 = 54 (N)
- Clue 5 (Two-step equations): surviving statement (box 7) → Lewis6x + 2 = 14, x = 2 · 5x + 8 = 13, x = 1 · 2x + 8 = 16, x = 4 · 4x + 8 = 32, x = 6 · 6x + 5 = 53, x = 8 · 2x + 4 = 10, x = 3 · 3x + 10 = 25, x = 5 · 2x + 8 = 30, x = 11 · 6x + 3 = 75, x = 12 · 3x + 3 = 30, x = 9 · 4x + 2 = 42, x = 10
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 7 math
- Math topics
- Integers, Word problems, Multi-step word problems, Percentages, Two-step equations
- Reading level
- grades 7-9
- Theme
- The Summit Station Sabotage — set in Mount Tempest Observatory
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects