🚀 SpaceGrade 9Reading: grades 7-9Two-step equationsWord problemsExponentsSquare roots
Sabotage on Orion-9
Someone has hijacked the station's artificial gravity grid, risking the lives of everyone on board. The Chief Astrophysicist has gone missing, leaving behind a locked data pad. We must crack the security codes, scan the telemetry files, and track down the culprit before the oxygen reserves run out.
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 | Primary Power | Sub-System Gear | Navigation Preference | Strand Evidence | Counter-Measure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellen Ochoa | Gravity-bending | Laser-cutting | Left-handed pilot | Chrome buzzcut | Ice-pellets |
| Isaac Asimov | Cyber-hacking | Laser-cutting | Left-handed pilot | Copper dreadlocks | Magnet-clutches |
| Peggy Whitson | Solar-flaring | Jetpack-flight | Right-handed pilot | Copper dreadlocks | Water-mist |
| Mae Jemison | Plasma-welding | Laser-cutting | Left-handed pilot | Copper dreadlocks | Magnet-clutches |
| Buzz Aldrin | Quantum-shifting | EMP-blasting | Left-handed pilot | Neon-blue hair | Magnet-clutches |
| Guion Bluford | Solar-flaring | Shield-generation | Left-handed pilot | Neon-blue hair | Magnet-clutches |
| Alexey Leonov | Quantum-shifting | Jetpack-flight | Left-handed pilot | Neon-blue hair | Ice-pellets |
| Carl Sagan | Cyber-hacking | Laser-cutting | Left-handed pilot | Chrome buzzcut | Ice-pellets |
| Roberta Bondar | Plasma-welding | Laser-cutting | Left-handed pilot | Neon-blue hair | Magnet-clutches |
| Stephen Hawking | Cyber-hacking | EMP-blasting | Left-handed pilot | Copper dreadlocks | Water-mist |
| Edwin Hubble | Solar-flaring | Hologram-projection | Left-handed pilot | Neon-blue hair | Magnet-clutches |
| Valentina Tereshkova | Gravity-bending | EMP-blasting | Left-handed pilot | Chrome buzzcut | Magnet-clutches |
| John Glenn | Solar-flaring | EMP-blasting | Right-handed pilot | Copper dreadlocks | Magnet-clutches |
| Mark Kelly | Quantum-shifting | Hologram-projection | Right-handed pilot | Copper dreadlocks | Ice-pellets |
| Charles Bolden | Plasma-welding | Laser-cutting | Left-handed pilot | Neon-blue hair | Ice-pellets |
| Scott Kelly | Solar-flaring | Laser-cutting | Left-handed pilot | Neon-blue hair | Magnet-clutches |
| Yuri Gagarin | Plasma-welding | Hologram-projection | Right-handed pilot | Copper dreadlocks | Ice-pellets |
| Kip Thorne | Cyber-hacking | Shield-generation | Right-handed pilot | Neon-blue hair | Magnet-clutches |
| Arthur Clarke | Plasma-welding | Hologram-projection | Left-handed pilot | Chrome buzzcut | Water-mist |
| Alan Shepard | Gravity-bending | Laser-cutting | Right-handed pilot | Neon-blue hair | Magnet-clutches |
| Kalpana Chawla | Cyber-hacking | Shield-generation | Right-handed pilot | Neon-blue hair | Water-mist |
Clue 1
Two-step equations
We intercepted a scrambled distress signal from the sector drone. Solving this word problem about rocket fuel canisters reveals the first encryption key.
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
14
3
18
16
6
5
5
2
6
17
4
21
18
11
17
21
T
14
9
11
18
3
21
5
21
15
7
2
13
10
7
21
19
18
12
T
14
6
21
17
4x + 6 = 62, x =T
4x + 1 = 21, x =L
6x + 7 = 25, x =H
9x + 5 = 86, x =U
9x + 10 = 73, x =R
7x + 4 = 116, x =V
8x + 6 = 110, x =M
7x + 6 = 132, x =E
8x + 11 = 43, x =D
7x + 6 = 111, x =G
9x + 9 = 63, x =I
5x + 2 = 107, x =O
6x + 5 = 17, x =A
2x + 5 = 25, x =P
4x + 8 = 52, x =S
6x + 7 = 79, x =C
6x + 5 = 119, x =J
4x + 4 = 72, x =N
0/18 letters found
Clue 2
Word problems
The hangar cargo scale is acting up, weighing empty crates and loaded fuel cell pallets. Solve this two-step equation to find the weight of a single fuel cell and unlock the flight log.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
L
84
105
113
40
22
56
9
D
105
D
P
I
L
84
O
40
Astronomer lined up 12 rows of 7 laser-tools. How many laser-tools in all?L
Astronomer lined up 3 rows of 3 space-probes. How many space-probes in all?N
Astronomer found 20 laser-tools yesterday and 93 more today. How many laser-tools in all?F
Astronomer found 11 space-probes yesterday and 94 more today. How many space-probes in all?E
Astronomer lined up 8 rows of 7 star-maps. How many star-maps in all?A
There were 39 comet-samples. 17 were used up. How many comet-samples are left?H
There were 49 star-maps. 9 were used up. How many star-maps are left?T
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Exponents
The station's supercomputer is running a virus that multiplies exponentially every second. Calculate the total server damage to access the security footage.
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
121
81
169
144
9
169
343
4
64
343
144
144
T
121
196
128
128
169
361
625
216
27
343
729
9
169
T
121
16
243
32
T
121
16
81
169
144
11^2 =T
13^2 =E
14^2 =O
9^3 =G
5^4 =B
2^7 =P
6^3 =Y
9^2 =H
2^2 =K
2^4 =C
19^2 =D
2^5 =U
2^6 =W
7^3 =A
3^3 =M
3^5 =L
3^2 =N
12^2 =S
0/18 letters found
Clue 4
Square roots
The life support grid is organized in a massive square array. Find the side length of the main power grid to pinpoint where the saboteur cut the wire.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
N
7
21
9
N
7
23
19
13
21
16
17
11
15
10
17
12
6
9
13
N
7
3
11
N
7
18
16
21
22
21
N
7
18
sqrt(49) =N
sqrt(169) =U
sqrt(256) =H
sqrt(36) =F
sqrt(289) =A
sqrt(121) =I
sqrt(9) =D
sqrt(225) =R
sqrt(484) =V
sqrt(441) =E
sqrt(81) =O
sqrt(144) =S
sqrt(100) =W
sqrt(529) =B
sqrt(361) =L
sqrt(324) =T
0/16 letters found
Clue 5
Two-step equations — the last clue
To bypass the locked laboratory door, we must balance the engine's thrust variables. Solve this algebraic equation to slide the heavy blast doors open.
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
3x + 11 = 23, x = ?
3x + 10 = 25, x = ?
2x + 6 = 22, x = ?
4x + 12 = 56, x = ?
7x + 8 = 29, x = ?
9x + 5 = 14, x = ?
5x + 9 = 19, x = ?
7x + 11 = 53, x = ?
5x + 12 = 47, x = ?
8x + 2 = 82, x = ?
7x + 6 = 90, x = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain scrambles the comms dish, then blocks pursuit with shield generation.
2.The villain locks the airlock gates, then forces entry with laser cutting.
3.The villain scrambles the comms dish, then knocks out power with EMP blasting.
4.The villain hacks the navigation terminal, then knocks out power with EMP blasting.
5.The villain overloads the thrusters, then blocks pursuit with shield generation.
6.The villain disrupts the fusion reactor, then escapes using jetpack flight.
7.The villain overloads the thrusters, then escapes using jetpack flight.
8.The villain disrupts the fusion reactor, then forces entry with laser cutting.
9.The villain overloads the thrusters, then forces entry with laser cutting.
10.The villain locks the airlock gates, then blocks pursuit with shield generation.
11.The villain disrupts the fusion reactor, then slips away with hologram projection.
12.The villain hacks the navigation terminal, then forces entry with laser cutting.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — Sabotage on Orion-9
Culprit: Scott Kelly (Solar-flaring · Laser-cutting · Left-handed pilot · Neon-blue hair · Magnet-clutches)
- Clue 1 (Two-step equations): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT USE HOLOGRAM PROJECTION"4x + 6 = 62, x = 14 (T) · 4x + 1 = 21, x = 5 (L) · 6x + 7 = 25, x = 3 (H) · 9x + 5 = 86, x = 9 (U) · 9x + 10 = 73, x = 7 (R) · 7x + 4 = 116, x = 16 (V) · 8x + 6 = 110, x = 13 (M) · 7x + 6 = 132, x = 18 (E) · 8x + 11 = 43, x = 4 (D) · 7x + 6 = 111, x = 15 (G) · 9x + 9 = 63, x = 6 (I) · 5x + 2 = 107, x = 21 (O) · 6x + 5 = 17, x = 2 (A) · 2x + 5 = 25, x = 10 (P) · 4x + 8 = 52, x = 11 (S) · 6x + 7 = 79, x = 12 (C) · 6x + 5 = 119, x = 19 (J) · 4x + 4 = 72, x = 17 (N)
- Clue 2 (Word problems): "LEFT HANDED PILOT"Astronomer lined up 12 rows of 7 laser-tools. How many laser-tools in all? = 84 (L) · Astronomer lined up 3 rows of 3 space-probes. How many space-probes in all? = 9 (N) · Astronomer found 20 laser-tools yesterday and 93 more today. How many laser-tools in all? = 113 (F) · Astronomer found 11 space-probes yesterday and 94 more today. How many space-probes in all? = 105 (E) · Astronomer lined up 8 rows of 7 star-maps. How many star-maps in all? = 56 (A) · There were 39 comet-samples. 17 were used up. How many comet-samples are left? = 22 (H) · There were 49 star-maps. 9 were used up. How many star-maps are left? = 40 (T)
- Clue 3 (Exponents): "THE SNEAK WAS STOPPED BY MAGNET CLUTCHES"11^2 = 121 (T) · 13^2 = 169 (E) · 14^2 = 196 (O) · 9^3 = 729 (G) · 5^4 = 625 (B) · 2^7 = 128 (P) · 6^3 = 216 (Y) · 9^2 = 81 (H) · 2^2 = 4 (K) · 2^4 = 16 (C) · 19^2 = 361 (D) · 2^5 = 32 (U) · 2^6 = 64 (W) · 7^3 = 343 (A) · 3^3 = 27 (M) · 3^5 = 243 (L) · 3^2 = 9 (N) · 12^2 = 144 (S)
- Clue 4 (Square roots): "NEON BLUE HAIR WAS FOUND IN THE VENT"sqrt(49) = 7 (N) · sqrt(169) = 13 (U) · sqrt(256) = 16 (H) · sqrt(36) = 6 (F) · sqrt(289) = 17 (A) · sqrt(121) = 11 (I) · sqrt(9) = 3 (D) · sqrt(225) = 15 (R) · sqrt(484) = 22 (V) · sqrt(441) = 21 (E) · sqrt(81) = 9 (O) · sqrt(144) = 12 (S) · sqrt(100) = 10 (W) · sqrt(529) = 23 (B) · sqrt(361) = 19 (L) · sqrt(324) = 18 (T)
- Clue 5 (Two-step equations): surviving statement (box 9) → Scott Kelly3x + 11 = 23, x = 4 · 3x + 10 = 25, x = 5 · 2x + 6 = 22, x = 8 · 4x + 12 = 56, x = 11 · 7x + 8 = 29, x = 3 · 9x + 5 = 14, x = 1 · 5x + 9 = 19, x = 2 · 7x + 11 = 53, x = 6 · 5x + 12 = 47, x = 7 · 8x + 2 = 82, x = 10 · 7x + 6 = 90, x = 12
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 9 math
- Math topics
- Two-step equations, Word problems, Exponents, Square roots
- Reading level
- grades 7-9
- Theme
- Sabotage on Orion-9 — set in Nebula Outpost Orion-9
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects