🔎 Purr-maidsGrade 2Reading: grades 1-2Place valueAdditionSubtractionSkip countingMissing addends
The Case of the Missing Catnip Pearls
Someone snuck into the underwater castle and took the glowing catnip pearls! The purr-maids need your help to trace the clues and find the thief.
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 | Pearl Magic | Bubble Gear | Flippers | Fur Color | Distraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pip | Sea Tail Swish | Pearl Crown | Right Pawed | Tabby Fur | Shiny Lures |
| Coralie | Starfish Paws | Pearl Crown | Left Pawed | Calico Fur | Catnip Snacks |
| Finley | Current Purr | Pearl Crown | Right Pawed | Calico Fur | Laser Light |
| Salty | Bubble Meow | Glow Shell | Left Pawed | Tabby Fur | Shiny Lures |
| Felix | Sea Tail Swish | Coral Goggles | Right Pawed | Calico Fur | Catnip Snacks |
| Waffles | Tide Whiskers | Glow Shell | Right Pawed | Silver Fur | Laser Light |
| Bubbles | Bubble Meow | Pearl Crown | Left Pawed | Calico Fur | Laser Light |
| Sandy | Current Purr | Coral Goggles | Right Pawed | Silver Fur | Catnip Snacks |
| Splash | Tide Whiskers | Pearl Crown | Left Pawed | Calico Fur | Shiny Lures |
| Cleo | Current Purr | Seahorse Saddle | Right Pawed | Silver Fur | Catnip Snacks |
| Milo | Current Purr | Seahorse Saddle | Right Pawed | Silver Fur | Shiny Lures |
| Jasper | Starfish Paws | Glow Shell | Right Pawed | Calico Fur | Laser Light |
| Barnaby | Starfish Paws | Pearl Crown | Right Pawed | Silver Fur | Catnip Snacks |
| Marina | Bubble Meow | Seahorse Saddle | Right Pawed | Silver Fur | Catnip Snacks |
| Nemo | Bubble Meow | Glow Shell | Right Pawed | Tabby Fur | Catnip Snacks |
| Periwinkle | Tide Whiskers | Kelp Ribbon | Right Pawed | Calico Fur | Catnip Snacks |
| Otter | Bubble Meow | Glow Shell | Right Pawed | Silver Fur | Catnip Snacks |
| Ziggy | Sea Tail Swish | Glow Shell | Right Pawed | Silver Fur | Shiny Lures |
| Toby | Tide Whiskers | Coral Goggles | Left Pawed | Tabby Fur | Shiny Lures |
| Pearl | Starfish Paws | Glow Shell | Left Pawed | Silver Fur | Catnip Snacks |
| Mako | Tide Whiskers | Coral Goggles | Left Pawed | Silver Fur | Catnip Snacks |
Clue 1
Place value
The Pearl Keeper counted tens and ones on the shell board to decode a secret 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.
T
37
80
24
23
53
71
71
89
53
92
30
11
24
83
92
11
T
37
95
24
89
70
89
52
24
89
70
71
79
70
11
95
92
What number has 3 tens and 7 ones?T
What number has 5 tens and 3 ones?I
What number has 7 tens and 0 ones?R
What number has 9 tens and 2 ones?N
What number has 3 tens and 0 ones?D
What number has 7 tens and 1 one?L
What number has 5 tens and 2 ones?P
What number has 9 tens and 5 ones?W
What number has 8 tens and 9 ones?A
What number has 8 tens and 0 ones?H
What number has 2 tens and 3 ones?V
What number has 1 ten and 1 one?O
What number has 2 tens and 4 ones?E
What number has 7 tens and 9 ones?C
What number has 8 tens and 3 ones?S
0/15 letters found
Clue 2
Addition
Detective Paws added up the shiny clams counted by the reef guard.
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
64
44
28
T
64
44
91
28
51
80
91
60
68
28
56
T
64
44
28
43
61
60
67
91
T
64
44
65
46
91
60
44
T
64
21
65
67
35 + 29 =T
35 + 16 =F
35 + 30 =A
27 + 34 =O
13 + 15 =E
29 + 39 =N
14 + 7 =P
34 + 46 =S
42 + 25 =W
40 + 16 =D
59 + 32 =I
21 + 25 =R
27 + 33 =G
23 + 21 =H
25 + 18 =L
0/15 letters found
Clue 3
Subtraction
The guard subtracted the lost shells from the main treasure chest to find what was missing.
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
42
51
77
T
42
51
70
77
37
34
58
45
T
42
55
58
43
43
77
26
60
48
84
58
T
42
72
70
43
45
72
58
84
78
45
70 - 28 =T
70 - 10 =B
112 - 28 =C
57 - 14 =P
87 - 36 =H
105 - 27 =K
81 - 9 =N
35 - 1 =W
62 - 7 =R
32 - 6 =D
72 - 2 =I
49 - 12 =F
98 - 21 =E
56 - 8 =Y
84 - 39 =S
97 - 39 =A
0/16 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
The detective skip counted the rows of glowing sea lilies along the reef path.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
S
40
35
100
27
36
25
50
30
25
8
22
S
40
S
40
6
22
110
110
36
28
9
6
130
55
36
80
36
22
25
100
140
22
110
36
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50S
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100P
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12W
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150T
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35R
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, ___, 33, 36U
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120L
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, ___, 55, 60F
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33V
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26A
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15O
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160C
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130G
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32D
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10N
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65H
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45I
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42E
0/18 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
To open the clamshell vault the team had to find the missing number of pearls needed.
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
4 + ___ = 8
3 + ___ = 8
2 + ___ = 11
2 + ___ = 10
9 + ___ = 20
1 + ___ = 7
4 + ___ = 7
5 + ___ = 15
3 + ___ = 10
7 + ___ = 8
1 + ___ = 13
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain shot tide whiskers, then rode a seahorse saddle.
2.The villain purred a big current, then rode a seahorse saddle.
3.The villain waved starfish paws, then put on coral goggles.
4.The villain purred a big current, then put on coral goggles.
5.The villain blew bubble meows, then rode a seahorse saddle.
6.The villain waved starfish paws, then lit a glow shell.
7.The villain swished a sea tail, then wore a pearl crown.
8.The villain waved starfish paws, then tied a kelp ribbon.
9.The villain blew bubble meows, then lit a glow shell.
10.The villain blew bubble meows, then tied a kelp ribbon.
11.The villain shot tide whiskers, then lit a glow shell.
12.The villain shot tide whiskers, then wore a pearl crown.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Case of the Missing Catnip Pearls
Culprit: Cleo (Current Purr · Seahorse Saddle · Right Pawed · Silver Fur · Catnip Snacks)
- Clue 1 (Place value): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT WEAR A PEARL CROWN"What number has 3 tens and 7 ones? = 37 (T) · What number has 5 tens and 3 ones? = 53 (I) · What number has 7 tens and 0 ones? = 70 (R) · What number has 9 tens and 2 ones? = 92 (N) · What number has 3 tens and 0 ones? = 30 (D) · What number has 7 tens and 1 one? = 71 (L) · What number has 5 tens and 2 ones? = 52 (P) · What number has 9 tens and 5 ones? = 95 (W) · What number has 8 tens and 9 ones? = 89 (A) · What number has 8 tens and 0 ones? = 80 (H) · What number has 2 tens and 3 ones? = 23 (V) · What number has 1 ten and 1 one? = 11 (O) · What number has 2 tens and 4 ones? = 24 (E) · What number has 7 tens and 9 ones? = 79 (C) · What number has 8 tens and 3 ones? = 83 (S)
- Clue 2 (Addition): "THE THIEF SIGNED THE LOG WITH A RIGHT PAW"35 + 29 = 64 (T) · 35 + 16 = 51 (F) · 35 + 30 = 65 (A) · 27 + 34 = 61 (O) · 13 + 15 = 28 (E) · 29 + 39 = 68 (N) · 14 + 7 = 21 (P) · 34 + 46 = 80 (S) · 42 + 25 = 67 (W) · 40 + 16 = 56 (D) · 59 + 32 = 91 (I) · 21 + 25 = 46 (R) · 27 + 33 = 60 (G) · 23 + 21 = 44 (H) · 25 + 18 = 43 (L)
- Clue 3 (Subtraction): "THE THIEF WAS TRAPPED BY CATNIP SNACKS"70 - 28 = 42 (T) · 70 - 10 = 60 (B) · 112 - 28 = 84 (C) · 57 - 14 = 43 (P) · 87 - 36 = 51 (H) · 105 - 27 = 78 (K) · 81 - 9 = 72 (N) · 35 - 1 = 34 (W) · 62 - 7 = 55 (R) · 32 - 6 = 26 (D) · 72 - 2 = 70 (I) · 49 - 12 = 37 (F) · 98 - 21 = 77 (E) · 56 - 8 = 48 (Y) · 84 - 39 = 45 (S) · 97 - 39 = 58 (A)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "SILVER FUR WAS SNAGGED ON THE PEARL CAGE"Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50 = 40 (S) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100 = 80 (P) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12 = 8 (W) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (T) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (R) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, ___, 33, 36 = 30 (U) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120 = 100 (L) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, ___, 55, 60 = 50 (F) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33 = 27 (V) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26 = 22 (A) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15 = 9 (O) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160 = 140 (C) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130 = 110 (G) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (D) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (N) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65 = 55 (H) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (I) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (E)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 2) → Cleo4 + ___ = 8 = 4 · 3 + ___ = 8 = 5 · 2 + ___ = 11 = 9 · 2 + ___ = 10 = 8 · 9 + ___ = 20 = 11 · 1 + ___ = 7 = 6 · 4 + ___ = 7 = 3 · 5 + ___ = 15 = 10 · 3 + ___ = 10 = 7 · 7 + ___ = 8 = 1 · 1 + ___ = 13 = 12
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 2 math
- Math topics
- Place value, Addition, Subtraction, Skip counting, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 1-2
- Theme
- The Case of the Missing Catnip Pearls — set in Coral Cat Cove
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects