🚀 Space, MinecraftGrade 2Reading: grades 5-6Place valueAdditionSubtractionSkip countingMissing addends
Mystery of the Lunar Nether Portal
A mysterious break-in has rocked Base Alpha on Asteroid Ender-9! The station hydroponics bay was raided, destroying rare space crops. Detective Nova must analyze clues left behind at the cosmic crafting station to identify the culprit before they escape into deep space.
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 | Crafting Tool | Suit Module | Glove Handedness | Helmet Tint | Shield Defect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex | Laser Cutter | Nether Cloak | Right Handed | Neon Green | Sound Wave Vibration |
| Creeper Dan | Laser Cutter | Quantum Compass | Right Handed | Cobalt Blue | Flashbang Light |
| Mae Jemison | Diamond Pickaxe | Gravity Boots | Right Handed | Solar Orange | High Heat Surge |
| Luna | Plasma Torch | Nether Cloak | Left Handed | Solar Orange | Flashbang Light |
| Atlas | Plasma Torch | Quantum Compass | Right Handed | Cobalt Blue | High Heat Surge |
| Notch | Laser Cutter | Jetpack Boost | Left Handed | Solar Orange | High Heat Surge |
| Carl Sagan | Diamond Pickaxe | Quantum Compass | Left Handed | Solar Orange | High Heat Surge |
| Valentina | Plasma Torch | Quantum Compass | Left Handed | Cobalt Blue | High Heat Surge |
| Jeb | Diamond Pickaxe | Jetpack Boost | Right Handed | Solar Orange | Flashbang Light |
| Buzz Aldrin | Laser Cutter | Nether Cloak | Left Handed | Solar Orange | Flashbang Light |
| Orion | Laser Cutter | Jetpack Boost | Right Handed | Neon Green | High Heat Surge |
| Sputnik Sam | Plasma Torch | Oxygen Shield | Right Handed | Neon Green | Sound Wave Vibration |
| Peggy Whitson | Antimatter Shovel | Quantum Compass | Right Handed | Cobalt Blue | Flashbang Light |
| Steve | Laser Cutter | Oxygen Shield | Left Handed | Solar Orange | High Heat Surge |
| Sally Ride | Plasma Torch | Jetpack Boost | Left Handed | Solar Orange | High Heat Surge |
| Redstone Rita | Plasma Torch | Gravity Boots | Left Handed | Solar Orange | Sound Wave Vibration |
| Astra | Diamond Pickaxe | Quantum Compass | Right Handed | Cobalt Blue | Flashbang Light |
| Gagarin | Laser Cutter | Jetpack Boost | Left Handed | Cobalt Blue | Flashbang Light |
| Chris Hadfield | Diamond Pickaxe | Quantum Compass | Right Handed | Neon Green | Flashbang Light |
| Neil Armstrong | Graviton Hammer | Gravity Boots | Left Handed | Solar Orange | High Heat Surge |
| Hank | Plasma Torch | Quantum Compass | Right Handed | Solar Orange | Sound Wave Vibration |
Clue 1
Place value
Scanning the oxygen tank telemetry, Commander Alex broke down the digital display by hundreds, tens, and ones to reveal the first hidden code.
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
38
50
87
96
14
84
84
31
14
57
62
40
87
25
57
40
T
38
42
25
87
31
57
40
48
30
74
87
57
25
50
14
87
84
62
What number has 3 tens and 8 ones?T
What number has 3 tens and 0 ones?Y
What number has 2 tens and 5 ones?S
What number has 4 tens and 8 ones?X
What number has 3 tens and 1 one?A
What number has 5 tens and 7 ones?N
What number has 9 tens and 6 ones?V
What number has 8 tens and 7 ones?E
What number has 7 tens and 4 ones?G
What number has 6 tens and 2 ones?D
What number has 4 tens and 2 ones?U
What number has 5 tens and 0 ones?H
What number has 8 tens and 4 ones?L
What number has 4 tens and 0 ones?O
What number has 1 ten and 4 ones?I
0/15 letters found
Clue 2
Addition
To calculate the total energy needed for the lunar scanner, the crew combined the power cell readings from both supply crates.
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
48
62
24
43
25
42
42
42
33
W
48
33
45
25
34
24
29
33
43
30
25
30
24
52
52
45
27
33
86
57
52
43
24
29
25
W
48
33
45
45
24 + 24 =W
42 + 44 =R
37 + 15 =O
13 + 20 =A
24 + 33 =K
12 + 15 =M
20 + 23 =N
7 + 18 =E
38 + 24 =I
28 + 14 =S
14 + 16 =D
13 + 16 =H
22 + 12 =F
31 + 14 =L
8 + 16 =T
0/15 letters found
Clue 3
Subtraction
After a sudden power drain in the hydroponics bay, Chief Nova subtracted the ruined solar panels from the remaining grid output.
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
68
36
69
45
48
19
19
37
48
55
74
37
55
37
12
37
28
24
74
38
86
37
36
48
18
36
36
69
37
T
68
14
76
74
18
69
97 - 29 =T
60 - 15 =V
43 - 25 =G
49 - 21 =Y
52 - 4 =I
93 - 38 =N
62 - 38 =F
64 - 26 =O
32 - 20 =W
43 - 6 =A
29 - 10 =L
90 - 4 =M
94 - 20 =R
29 - 15 =S
37 - 1 =H
95 - 26 =E
106 - 30 =U
0/17 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
Officer Jax inspected the asteroid perimeter, counting space beacons by equal groups along the lava trenches.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
O
70
110
16
15
130
65
30
65
45
140
65
40
10
16
26
15
40
35
6
110
16
10
65
25
O
70
15
40
30
65
25
O
70
O
70
110
22
16
14
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, ___, 80, 90O
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26W
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, ___, 50, 60T
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ___, 35, 40H
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20A
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150G
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14P
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18Y
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25N
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45S
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75E
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160M
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10C
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130R
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35D
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55L
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30I
0/17 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
Analyzing the crafting station inventory, Dr. Vane determined how many redstone dust units were still missing from the lockbox.
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
5 + ___ = 9
1 + ___ = 13
7 + ___ = 12
3 + ___ = 10
2 + ___ = 4
6 + ___ = 7
7 + ___ = 16
9 + ___ = 15
7 + ___ = 15
7 + ___ = 17
3 + ___ = 6
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain sliced with a laser cutter, then clicked gravity boots.
2.The villain smashed a graviton hammer, then checked a quantum compass.
3.The villain sliced with a laser cutter, then wrapped in a nether cloak.
4.The villain sliced with a laser cutter, then activated jetpack boost.
5.The villain swung a diamond pickaxe, then checked a quantum compass.
6.The villain dug using an antimatter shovel, then activated jetpack boost.
7.The villain fired a plasma torch, then wrapped in a nether cloak.
8.The villain dug using an antimatter shovel, then clicked gravity boots.
9.The villain sliced with a laser cutter, then turned on an oxygen shield.
10.The villain swung a diamond pickaxe, then wrapped in a nether cloak.
11.The villain fired a plasma torch, then activated jetpack boost.
12.The villain smashed a graviton hammer, then clicked gravity boots.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — Mystery of the Lunar Nether Portal
Culprit: Sally Ride (Plasma Torch · Jetpack Boost · Left Handed · Solar Orange · High Heat Surge)
- Clue 1 (Place value): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT USE AN OXYGEN SHIELD"What number has 3 tens and 8 ones? = 38 (T) · What number has 3 tens and 0 ones? = 30 (Y) · What number has 2 tens and 5 ones? = 25 (S) · What number has 4 tens and 8 ones? = 48 (X) · What number has 3 tens and 1 one? = 31 (A) · What number has 5 tens and 7 ones? = 57 (N) · What number has 9 tens and 6 ones? = 96 (V) · What number has 8 tens and 7 ones? = 87 (E) · What number has 7 tens and 4 ones? = 74 (G) · What number has 6 tens and 2 ones? = 62 (D) · What number has 4 tens and 2 ones? = 42 (U) · What number has 5 tens and 0 ones? = 50 (H) · What number has 8 tens and 4 ones? = 84 (L) · What number has 4 tens and 0 ones? = 40 (O) · What number has 1 ten and 4 ones? = 14 (I)
- Clue 2 (Addition): "WITNESS SAW A LEFT HANDED TOOL MARK ON THE WALL"24 + 24 = 48 (W) · 42 + 44 = 86 (R) · 37 + 15 = 52 (O) · 13 + 20 = 33 (A) · 24 + 33 = 57 (K) · 12 + 15 = 27 (M) · 20 + 23 = 43 (N) · 7 + 18 = 25 (E) · 38 + 24 = 62 (I) · 28 + 14 = 42 (S) · 14 + 16 = 30 (D) · 13 + 16 = 29 (H) · 22 + 12 = 34 (F) · 31 + 14 = 45 (L) · 8 + 16 = 24 (T)
- Clue 3 (Subtraction): "THE VILLAIN RAN AWAY FROM A HIGH HEAT SURGE"97 - 29 = 68 (T) · 60 - 15 = 45 (V) · 43 - 25 = 18 (G) · 49 - 21 = 28 (Y) · 52 - 4 = 48 (I) · 93 - 38 = 55 (N) · 62 - 38 = 24 (F) · 64 - 26 = 38 (O) · 32 - 20 = 12 (W) · 43 - 6 = 37 (A) · 29 - 10 = 19 (L) · 90 - 4 = 86 (M) · 94 - 20 = 74 (R) · 29 - 15 = 14 (S) · 37 - 1 = 36 (H) · 95 - 26 = 69 (E) · 106 - 30 = 76 (U)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "ORANGE HELMET PAINT SCRAPED ON THE DOORWAY"Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, ___, 80, 90 = 70 (O) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26 = 22 (W) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, ___, 50, 60 = 40 (T) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ___, 35, 40 = 30 (H) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (A) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (G) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (P) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18 = 14 (Y) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25 = 15 (N) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (S) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75 = 65 (E) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160 = 140 (M) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (C) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130 = 110 (R) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (D) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55 = 45 (L) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30 = 26 (I)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 11) → Sally Ride5 + ___ = 9 = 4 · 1 + ___ = 13 = 12 · 7 + ___ = 12 = 5 · 3 + ___ = 10 = 7 · 2 + ___ = 4 = 2 · 6 + ___ = 7 = 1 · 7 + ___ = 16 = 9 · 9 + ___ = 15 = 6 · 7 + ___ = 15 = 8 · 7 + ___ = 17 = 10 · 3 + ___ = 6 = 3
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 2 math
- Math topics
- Place value, Addition, Subtraction, Skip counting, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 5-6
- Theme
- Mystery of the Lunar Nether Portal — set in Base Alpha on Asteroid Ender-9
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects