Grade 2Reading: grades 1-2Place valueAdditionSubtractionSkip countingMissing addends
The Case of the Missing Golden Compass
Someone snatched the golden compass from the Ranger Station! The Jungle Bandit left clues all over the forest trail. Detective, grab your map and solve the case!
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 | Jungle Gear | Treasure Tool | Watch Wrist | Hat Color | Forest Snack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vince Valley | Compass Watch | Magnifying Glass | Left Wrist | Red Cap | Crunchy Apples |
| Iris Ivy | Grappling Hook | Map Scroll | Right Wrist | Red Cap | Trail Mix |
| Toby Vine | Rope Launcher | Magnifying Glass | Left Wrist | Red Cap | Trail Mix |
| Tara Trail | Binoculars | Pocket Knife | Left Wrist | Blue Bandana | Dried Mango |
| Cora Creek | Binoculars | Map Scroll | Left Wrist | Red Cap | Trail Mix |
| Mina Mud | Grappling Hook | Brass Key | Left Wrist | Red Cap | Trail Mix |
| Hank Hill | Binoculars | Signal Whistle | Left Wrist | Red Cap | Trail Mix |
| Dax Ditch | Grappling Hook | Magnifying Glass | Right Wrist | Blue Bandana | Dried Mango |
| Ned Nest | Grappling Hook | Magnifying Glass | Left Wrist | Blue Bandana | Trail Mix |
| Sam Scout | Binoculars | Pocket Knife | Right Wrist | Blue Bandana | Trail Mix |
| Gail Gecko | Compass Watch | Magnifying Glass | Left Wrist | Blue Bandana | Dried Mango |
| Luke Log | Compass Watch | Map Scroll | Left Wrist | Red Cap | Dried Mango |
| Maya Map | Compass Watch | Map Scroll | Right Wrist | Red Cap | Crunchy Apples |
| Rosa River | Binoculars | Brass Key | Right Wrist | Blue Bandana | Crunchy Apples |
| Pete Pine | Binoculars | Pocket Knife | Left Wrist | Red Cap | Trail Mix |
| Finn Fox | Grappling Hook | Pocket Knife | Left Wrist | Red Cap | Dried Mango |
| Opal Owl | Binoculars | Map Scroll | Left Wrist | Green Helmet | Trail Mix |
| Ben Boulder | Binoculars | Map Scroll | Right Wrist | Red Cap | Trail Mix |
| Will Wood | Flashlight | Brass Key | Right Wrist | Red Cap | Crunchy Apples |
| Ella Fern | Flashlight | Signal Whistle | Right Wrist | Red Cap | Dried Mango |
| Kara Kite | Compass Watch | Magnifying Glass | Left Wrist | Green Helmet | Trail Mix |
Clue 1
Place value
The ranger station radio crackled with a code about place values. We read the tens digit to open the security box.
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
63
48
68
79
47
45
45
23
47
15
76
44
68
25
15
44
T
63
64
23
56
56
41
23
25
47
62
15
23
45
38
48
47
25
T
63
45
68
What number has 6 tens and 3 ones?T
What number has 7 tens and 9 ones?V
What number has 1 ten and 5 ones?N
What number has 4 tens and 4 ones?O
What number has 2 tens and 5 ones?S
What number has 6 tens and 4 ones?C
What number has 2 tens and 3 ones?A
What number has 6 tens and 2 ones?G
What number has 5 tens and 6 ones?R
What number has 4 tens and 1 one?Y
What number has 6 tens and 8 ones?E
What number has 4 tens and 5 ones?L
What number has 4 tens and 8 ones?H
What number has 7 tens and 6 ones?D
What number has 3 tens and 8 ones?W
What number has 4 tens and 7 ones?I
0/16 letters found
Clue 2
Addition
We added up all the footprints found along the muddy river bank to see which path to follow.
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
38
21
78
35
57
58
58
58
76
W
38
76
W
38
76
78
68
92
69
35
78
92
57
98
57
45
78
W
38
33
21
58
78
18 + 20 =W
37 + 61 =L
45 + 47 =H
11 + 22 =R
20 + 38 =S
21 + 24 =F
42 + 27 =O
21 + 36 =E
28 + 40 =C
13 + 8 =I
51 + 27 =T
43 + 33 =A
20 + 15 =N
0/13 letters found
Clue 3
Subtraction
We subtracted the missing coconut snacks from the full pantry shelf to figure out what was taken.
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
28
40
34
11
85
55
87
32
T
28
56
85
69
69
47
85
42
34
87
22
64
64
11
86
T
28
42
85
32
81
25
32
68
36 - 8 =T
58 - 33 =M
76 - 8 =X
115 - 30 =A
115 - 34 =L
89 - 34 =N
72 - 25 =C
83 - 27 =W
40 - 18 =O
59 - 25 =E
127 - 40 =D
14 - 3 =B
79 - 10 =S
82 - 18 =F
53 - 11 =R
107 - 21 =Y
78 - 38 =H
67 - 35 =I
0/18 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
We counted the treehouse rope steps by twos to reach the top lookout in time.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
A
140
130
14
33
40
60
30
14
20
24
26
A
140
15
100
A
140
6
24
14
28
15
15
20
24
9
20
A
140
14
30
60
20
30
14
20
20
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160A
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120W
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150B
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30C
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15N
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, ___, 22, 24E
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70H
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25P
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ___, 35, 40T
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10S
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, ___, 50, 60G
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18R
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39I
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28D
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32O
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
We figured out how many missing coins were needed to fill the treasure pouch completely.
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 + ___ = 12
9 + ___ = 21
4 + ___ = 10
7 + ___ = 8
3 + ___ = 6
7 + ___ = 12
8 + ___ = 12
9 + ___ = 16
6 + ___ = 16
10 + ___ = 12
8 + ___ = 19
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain dashed past the parrot nest, then snatched the signal whistle.
2.The villain dashed past the parrot nest, then unlocked the crate with a brass key.
3.The villain zipped past on a zipline, then snatched the signal whistle.
4.The villain shinnied up a tall palm, then pocketed the small pocket knife.
5.The villain crawled through the secret tunnel, then unlocked the crate with a brass key.
6.The villain dashed past the parrot nest, then grabbed the shiny map scroll.
7.The villain swung across the muddy creek, then snatched the signal whistle.
8.The villain dashed past the parrot nest, then pocketed the small pocket knife.
9.The villain zipped past on a zipline, then picked up the magnifying glass.
10.The villain shinnied up a tall palm, then grabbed the shiny map scroll.
11.The villain crawled through the secret tunnel, then pocketed the small pocket knife.
12.The villain swung across the muddy creek, then unlocked the crate with a brass key.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Case of the Missing Golden Compass
Culprit: Toby Vine (Rope Launcher · Magnifying Glass · Left Wrist · Red Cap · Trail Mix)
- Clue 1 (Place value): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT CARRY A SIGNAL WHISTLE"What number has 6 tens and 3 ones? = 63 (T) · What number has 7 tens and 9 ones? = 79 (V) · What number has 1 ten and 5 ones? = 15 (N) · What number has 4 tens and 4 ones? = 44 (O) · What number has 2 tens and 5 ones? = 25 (S) · What number has 6 tens and 4 ones? = 64 (C) · What number has 2 tens and 3 ones? = 23 (A) · What number has 6 tens and 2 ones? = 62 (G) · What number has 5 tens and 6 ones? = 56 (R) · What number has 4 tens and 1 one? = 41 (Y) · What number has 6 tens and 8 ones? = 68 (E) · What number has 4 tens and 5 ones? = 45 (L) · What number has 4 tens and 8 ones? = 48 (H) · What number has 7 tens and 6 ones? = 76 (D) · What number has 3 tens and 8 ones? = 38 (W) · What number has 4 tens and 7 ones? = 47 (I)
- Clue 2 (Addition): "WITNESS SAW A WATCH ON THE LEFT WRIST"18 + 20 = 38 (W) · 37 + 61 = 98 (L) · 45 + 47 = 92 (H) · 11 + 22 = 33 (R) · 20 + 38 = 58 (S) · 21 + 24 = 45 (F) · 42 + 27 = 69 (O) · 21 + 36 = 57 (E) · 28 + 40 = 68 (C) · 13 + 8 = 21 (I) · 51 + 27 = 78 (T) · 43 + 33 = 76 (A) · 20 + 15 = 35 (N)
- Clue 3 (Subtraction): "THE BANDIT WAS SCARED OFF BY TRAIL MIX"36 - 8 = 28 (T) · 58 - 33 = 25 (M) · 76 - 8 = 68 (X) · 115 - 30 = 85 (A) · 115 - 34 = 81 (L) · 89 - 34 = 55 (N) · 72 - 25 = 47 (C) · 83 - 27 = 56 (W) · 40 - 18 = 22 (O) · 59 - 25 = 34 (E) · 127 - 40 = 87 (D) · 14 - 3 = 11 (B) · 79 - 10 = 69 (S) · 82 - 18 = 64 (F) · 53 - 11 = 42 (R) · 107 - 21 = 86 (Y) · 78 - 38 = 40 (H) · 67 - 35 = 32 (I)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "A BRIGHT RED CAP WAS DROPPED NEAR THE TREE"Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160 = 140 (A) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120 = 100 (W) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (B) · 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 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15 = 9 (N) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, ___, 22, 24 = 20 (E) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70 = 60 (H) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25 = 15 (P) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ___, 35, 40 = 30 (T) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (S) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, ___, 50, 60 = 40 (G) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18 = 14 (R) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (I) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28 = 24 (D) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (O)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 9) → Toby Vine4 + ___ = 12 = 8 · 9 + ___ = 21 = 12 · 4 + ___ = 10 = 6 · 7 + ___ = 8 = 1 · 3 + ___ = 6 = 3 · 7 + ___ = 12 = 5 · 8 + ___ = 12 = 4 · 9 + ___ = 16 = 7 · 6 + ___ = 16 = 10 · 10 + ___ = 12 = 2 · 8 + ___ = 19 = 11
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 Golden Compass — set in Whispering Jungle
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects