🚀 Basketball, Minecraft, SocceGrade 9Reading: grades 7-9Fractions of a numberWord problemsMulti-step word problemsTwo-step equations
The Cosmic Hoops Heist
Someone hacked the championship trophy pod right before the Star-Block League finals. Clues left across the futuristic orbital court will help us unmask the culprit.
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 Gear | Booster Module | Dominant Hand | Visor Color | Defense Glitch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Block | Astro Whistle | Star Horn | Left Handed | Prism Purple | Heavy Cosmic Dust |
| Sue Bird | Block Shield | Tail Thruster | Left Handed | Solar Gold | Heavy Cosmic Dust |
| Nikola Jokic | Turbo Ball | Star Horn | Left Handed | Cyber Cyan | Loud Whistle Sound |
| Kylian Mbappe | Astro Whistle | Tail Thruster | Left Handed | Solar Gold | Heavy Cosmic Dust |
| Leo Galaxy | Block Shield | Warp Boots | Left Handed | Prism Purple | Bright Laser Light |
| Trinity Rodman | Gravity Cleats | Warp Boots | Left Handed | Prism Purple | Loud Whistle Sound |
| Breanna Stewart | Block Shield | Tail Thruster | Right Handed | Cyber Cyan | Bright Laser Light |
| James Harden | Gravity Cleats | Pixel Shield | Right Handed | Prism Purple | Heavy Cosmic Dust |
| Lionel Pulsar | Astro Whistle | Star Horn | Right Handed | Cyber Cyan | Bright Laser Light |
| Steph Comet | Rocket Jersey | Warp Boots | Right Handed | Cyber Cyan | Loud Whistle Sound |
| Caitlin Clark | Astro Whistle | Tail Thruster | Left Handed | Solar Gold | Loud Whistle Sound |
| Sabrina Ionescu | Block Shield | Star Horn | Right Handed | Solar Gold | Loud Whistle Sound |
| Marta Vieira | Block Shield | Warp Boots | Right Handed | Prism Purple | Loud Whistle Sound |
| Christine Sinclair | Rocket Jersey | Pixel Shield | Right Handed | Solar Gold | Loud Whistle Sound |
| Diana Taurasi | Block Shield | Neon Wings | Left Handed | Solar Gold | Heavy Cosmic Dust |
| LeBron Nova | Gravity Cleats | Pixel Shield | Right Handed | Solar Gold | Heavy Cosmic Dust |
| Megan Rapinoe | Rocket Jersey | Warp Boots | Left Handed | Solar Gold | Bright Laser Light |
| Kevin Durant | Block Shield | Star Horn | Left Handed | Cyber Cyan | Heavy Cosmic Dust |
| Alex Morgan | Block Shield | Warp Boots | Left Handed | Solar Gold | Heavy Cosmic Dust |
| Aja Wilson | Gravity Cleats | Pixel Shield | Left Handed | Cyber Cyan | Loud Whistle Sound |
| Sam Kerr | Rocket Jersey | Star Horn | Left Handed | Solar Gold | Heavy Cosmic Dust |
Clue 1
Fractions of a number
We analyzed the stadium ticket database to filter out spectating fans, calculating the fraction of registered athletes in attendance.
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
26
52
36
44
38
50
50
29
38
18
31
42
36
30
18
42
T
26
10
30
36
18
36
42
18
60
38
18
39
30
4/10 of 65 =T
2/5 of 110 =V
2/5 of 150 =W
5/10 of 62 =D
1/5 of 180 =E
1/3 of 150 =L
1/2 of 78 =G
1/3 of 90 =S
3/8 of 48 =N
1/6 of 174 =A
4/10 of 105 =O
2/4 of 104 =H
1/5 of 50 =U
2/8 of 152 =I
0/14 letters found
Clue 2
Word problems
The arena security sensors logged ball possessions and speed metrics during the blackout, providing a key stat.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
L
119
103
63
88
94
15
83
D
103
D
There were 156 gravity blocks. 37 were used up. How many gravity blocks are left?L
There were 116 cosmic soccer balls. 28 were used up. How many cosmic soccer balls are left?T
Coach Nebula lined up 3 rows of 5 star crystals. How many star crystals in all?A
There were 119 rocket jerseys. 16 were used up. How many rocket jerseys are left?E
Coach Nebula found 63 astro hoops yesterday and 20 more today. How many astro hoops in all?N
There were 129 cosmic soccer balls. 35 were used up. How many cosmic soccer balls are left?H
There were 100 astro hoops. 37 were used up. How many astro hoops are left?F
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Multi-step word problems
Reviewing the equipment locker logs required multi-step calculations to track energy cell usages across three rounds.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith .
H
74
34
54
10
53
23
49
S
M
I
23
D
U
S
T
Coach Nebula collected 45 astro hoops in the morning and 325 astro hoops in the afternoon, then split them equally among 5 Starlight Rovers. How many astro hoops did each get?H
Coach Nebula earned 5 star crystals in each of 6 rounds, plus 21 bonus star crystals. Then 2 star crystals were lost. How many star crystals are left?O
Coach Nebula earned 4 rocket jerseys in each of 6 rounds, plus 31 bonus rocket jerseys. Then 1 rocket jerseys were lost. How many rocket jerseys are left?A
There were 90 gravity blocks in all. 20 gravity blocks were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 7 Starlight Rovers. How many gravity blocks did each get?V
Coach Nebula collected 70 cosmic soccer balls in the morning and 22 cosmic soccer balls in the afternoon, then split them equally among 4 Starlight Rovers. How many cosmic soccer balls did each get?C
Coach Nebula filled 7 boxes with 7 gravity blocks each, then found 4 more gravity blocks. How many gravity blocks are there in all?Y
There were 148 star crystals in all. 2 Starlight Rovers used 40 star crystals each. The other 2 Starlight Rovers shared the rest equally. How many star crystals did each of the other Starlight Rovers get?E
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Two-step equations
To decode the encrypted telemetry lock on the trophy pod, we set up and solved an equation using sensor readings.
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
2
18
22
17
4
11
13
18
20
11
A
2
21
4
20
11
15
16
22
18
20
21
18
19
21
A
2
12
8
A
2
18
7
20
3
17
15
2x + 2 = 6, x =A
5x + 6 = 61, x =L
5x + 10 = 50, x =W
9x + 11 = 119, x =P
9x + 1 = 154, x =N
4x + 9 = 61, x =E
7x + 4 = 32, x =G
9x + 2 = 146, x =V
3x + 6 = 63, x =T
2x + 8 = 14, x =U
7x + 8 = 148, x =O
2x + 1 = 15, x =F
7x + 3 = 157, x =I
4x + 9 = 81, x =S
8x + 3 = 123, x =D
6x + 3 = 129, x =R
0/16 letters found
Clue 5
Fractions of a number — the last clue
Finally, evaluating fractional stadium power grid drains narrows the suspect list down to the true culprit.
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
1/6 of 24 = ?
1/8 of 64 = ?
3/4 of 8 = ?
3/6 of 20 = ?
2/6 of 6 = ?
1/6 of 72 = ?
3/6 of 22 = ?
1/6 of 6 = ?
1/10 of 30 = ?
1/2 of 14 = ?
5/6 of 6 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain charged up a rocket jersey, then deployed neon wings.
2.The villain activated gravity cleats, then projected a pixel shield.
3.The villain charged up a rocket jersey, then projected a pixel shield.
4.The villain blew an astro whistle, then fired a tail thruster.
5.The villain blew an astro whistle, then deployed neon wings.
6.The villain raised a block shield, then clicked warp boots.
7.The villain raised a block shield, then deployed neon wings.
8.The villain raised a block shield, then fired a tail thruster.
9.The villain charged up a rocket jersey, then lit up a star horn.
10.The villain dribbled a turbo ball, then projected a pixel shield.
11.The villain charged up a rocket jersey, then clicked warp boots.
12.The villain dribbled a turbo ball, then clicked warp boots.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Cosmic Hoops Heist
Culprit: Sam Kerr (Rocket Jersey · Star Horn · Left Handed · Solar Gold · Heavy Cosmic Dust)
- Clue 1 (Fractions of a number): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT USE NEON WINGS"4/10 of 65 = 26 (T) · 2/5 of 110 = 44 (V) · 2/5 of 150 = 60 (W) · 5/10 of 62 = 31 (D) · 1/5 of 180 = 36 (E) · 1/3 of 150 = 50 (L) · 1/2 of 78 = 39 (G) · 1/3 of 90 = 30 (S) · 3/8 of 48 = 18 (N) · 1/6 of 174 = 29 (A) · 4/10 of 105 = 42 (O) · 2/4 of 104 = 52 (H) · 1/5 of 50 = 10 (U) · 2/8 of 152 = 38 (I)
- Clue 2 (Word problems): "LEFT HANDED"There were 156 gravity blocks. 37 were used up. How many gravity blocks are left? = 119 (L) · There were 116 cosmic soccer balls. 28 were used up. How many cosmic soccer balls are left? = 88 (T) · Coach Nebula lined up 3 rows of 5 star crystals. How many star crystals in all? = 15 (A) · There were 119 rocket jerseys. 16 were used up. How many rocket jerseys are left? = 103 (E) · Coach Nebula found 63 astro hoops yesterday and 20 more today. How many astro hoops in all? = 83 (N) · There were 129 cosmic soccer balls. 35 were used up. How many cosmic soccer balls are left? = 94 (H) · There were 100 astro hoops. 37 were used up. How many astro hoops are left? = 63 (F)
- Clue 3 (Multi-step word problems): "HEAVY COSMIC DUST"Coach Nebula collected 45 astro hoops in the morning and 325 astro hoops in the afternoon, then split them equally among 5 Starlight Rovers. How many astro hoops did each get? = 74 (H) · Coach Nebula earned 5 star crystals in each of 6 rounds, plus 21 bonus star crystals. Then 2 star crystals were lost. How many star crystals are left? = 49 (O) · Coach Nebula earned 4 rocket jerseys in each of 6 rounds, plus 31 bonus rocket jerseys. Then 1 rocket jerseys were lost. How many rocket jerseys are left? = 54 (A) · There were 90 gravity blocks in all. 20 gravity blocks were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 7 Starlight Rovers. How many gravity blocks did each get? = 10 (V) · Coach Nebula collected 70 cosmic soccer balls in the morning and 22 cosmic soccer balls in the afternoon, then split them equally among 4 Starlight Rovers. How many cosmic soccer balls did each get? = 23 (C) · Coach Nebula filled 7 boxes with 7 gravity blocks each, then found 4 more gravity blocks. How many gravity blocks are there in all? = 53 (Y) · There were 148 star crystals in all. 2 Starlight Rovers used 40 star crystals each. The other 2 Starlight Rovers shared the rest equally. How many star crystals did each of the other Starlight Rovers get? = 34 (E)
- Clue 4 (Two-step equations): "A SINGLE SOLAR GOLD VISOR STRAP WAS FOUND"2x + 2 = 6, x = 2 (A) · 5x + 6 = 61, x = 11 (L) · 5x + 10 = 50, x = 8 (W) · 9x + 11 = 119, x = 12 (P) · 9x + 1 = 154, x = 17 (N) · 4x + 9 = 61, x = 13 (E) · 7x + 4 = 32, x = 4 (G) · 9x + 2 = 146, x = 16 (V) · 3x + 6 = 63, x = 19 (T) · 2x + 8 = 14, x = 3 (U) · 7x + 8 = 148, x = 20 (O) · 2x + 1 = 15, x = 7 (F) · 7x + 3 = 157, x = 22 (I) · 4x + 9 = 81, x = 18 (S) · 8x + 3 = 123, x = 15 (D) · 6x + 3 = 129, x = 21 (R)
- Clue 5 (Fractions of a number): surviving statement (box 9) → Sam Kerr1/6 of 24 = 4 · 1/8 of 64 = 8 · 3/4 of 8 = 6 · 3/6 of 20 = 10 · 2/6 of 6 = 2 · 1/6 of 72 = 12 · 3/6 of 22 = 11 · 1/6 of 6 = 1 · 1/10 of 30 = 3 · 1/2 of 14 = 7 · 5/6 of 6 = 5
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 9 math
- Math topics
- Fractions of a number, Word problems, Multi-step word problems, Two-step equations
- Reading level
- grades 7-9
- Theme
- The Cosmic Hoops Heist — set in The Cosmic Block Arena
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects