🐶 Volleyball. dogs.Grade 5Reading: grades 7-9MultiplicationWord problemsFractions of a numberOrder of operationsDivision
The Golden Paw Volleyball Mystery
Right before the championship match of the Bark & Spike League, the official trophy disappeared from the referee stand. Detective, examine the clues and solve the puzzle to catch 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 | Signature Play | Gear Brand | Serving Hand | Fur Color | Distraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micah Christenson | Block Jump | Pawsitive | Right Handed | Spotted Fur | Belly Rubs |
| Foluke Akinradewo | Setter Dump | CanineKnees | Right Handed | Spotted Fur | Squeaky Toys |
| Justyn Toth | Setter Dump | CanineKnees | Left Handed | Black Fur | Belly Rubs |
| Daisy Set | Block Jump | CanineKnees | Left Handed | Golden Fur | Belly Rubs |
| Milo Libero | Backrow Attack | SpikePup | Right Handed | Golden Fur | Belly Rubs |
| Buster Paws | Setter Dump | BarkNet | Right Handed | Spotted Fur | Squeaky Toys |
| Jordan Larson | Setter Dump | Pawsitive | Left Handed | Golden Fur | Tennis Balls |
| Barkley Digs | Jump Serve | BarkNet | Left Handed | Spotted Fur | Belly Rubs |
| Erik Shoji | Block Jump | BarkNet | Left Handed | Black Fur | Belly Rubs |
| Tori Dixon | Diving Dig | Pawsitive | Right Handed | Spotted Fur | Squeaky Toys |
| Bella Ace | Setter Dump | SpikePup | Right Handed | Spotted Fur | Belly Rubs |
| Duke Bump | Jump Serve | SpikePup | Right Handed | Golden Fur | Belly Rubs |
| Cooper Setter | Jump Serve | BarkNet | Right Handed | Black Fur | Tennis Balls |
| Karch Kiraly | Block Jump | SpikePup | Right Handed | Golden Fur | Tennis Balls |
| Sadie Server | Block Jump | BarkNet | Right Handed | Black Fur | Tennis Balls |
| Luna Spiker | Diving Dig | CanineKnees | Right Handed | Spotted Fur | Squeaky Toys |
| Misty May | Backrow Attack | SpikePup | Left Handed | Spotted Fur | Squeaky Toys |
| Charlie Block | Setter Dump | GoldenGrip | Right Handed | Golden Fur | Belly Rubs |
| April Ross | Diving Dig | CanineKnees | Left Handed | Golden Fur | Squeaky Toys |
| Rover Spike | Backrow Attack | Pawsitive | Right Handed | Golden Fur | Squeaky Toys |
| Logan Tom | Diving Dig | GoldenGrip | Right Handed | Spotted Fur | Squeaky Toys |
Clue 1
Multiplication facts (1-12)
To count the rows of volleyballs stacked in the equipment shed, calculate the total inventory.
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
72
54
4
11
21
11
15
4
3
T
72
66
27
4
11
108
27
T
72
21
11
4
22
27
28
66
4
108
22
99
63
15
22
4
40
99
8 × 9 =T
11 × 2 =G
7 × 4 =L
7 × 9 =I
9 × 3 =O
10 × 4 =A
7 × 3 =U
3 × 1 =C
5 × 3 =P
9 × 6 =H
9 × 12 =N
2 × 2 =E
11 × 1 =S
9 × 11 =R
6 × 11 =D
0/15 letters found
Clue 2
Word problems
Coach Retriever tracks team points and practice penalties to uncover key evidence.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
R
113
118
88
119
79
119
18
16
D
E
D
There were 144 treat bags. 31 were used up. How many treat bags are left?R
There were 132 treat bags. 13 were used up. How many treat bags are left?H
There were 33 treat bags. 17 were used up. How many treat bags are left?N
There were 121 chew toys. 33 were used up. How many chew toys are left?G
There were 85 kneepads. 6 were used up. How many kneepads are left?T
Coach Retriever lined up 3 rows of 6 whistles. How many whistles in all?A
There were 123 volleyballs. 5 were used up. How many volleyballs are left?I
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Fractions of a number
Only a fraction of the court lights are working before the night championship match.
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
18
7
30
11
13
9
9
8
13
39
20
35
25
10
10
30
20
T
18
7
30
2
8
9
9
34
25
35
8
29
21
16
30
8
19
23
T
18
25
23
3/5 of 30 =T
3/10 of 70 =Q
1/10 of 110 =V
1/10 of 190 =K
1/4 of 28 =H
1/5 of 115 =Y
2/6 of 105 =R
1/6 of 60 =P
4/8 of 60 =E
4/6 of 3 =B
4/10 of 85 =F
2/8 of 80 =D
1/4 of 32 =A
5/10 of 78 =N
1/4 of 116 =S
2/4 of 18 =L
5/10 of 26 =I
1/5 of 80 =U
2/8 of 100 =O
0/19 letters found
Clue 4
Order of operations
Solving the multi-step tournament formula unlocks the master lock on the locker room door.
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
39
71
44
13
13
55
73
78
72
18
30
76
S
39
78
44
72
9
73
49
9
13
28
55
25
44
48
62
55
18
18
44
44
27
6 × 11 - 27 =S
4 × 12 - 4 =O
3 × 12 - 18 =R
24 + 8 × 6 =U
14 + 8 × 6 =K
8 × 8 - 9 =E
5 × 5 - 16 =N
8 × 9 - 1 =P
21 + 2 × 3 =M
4 × 8 - 4 =H
24 + 3 × 2 =W
8 × 10 - 4 =A
74 + 2 × 2 =F
37 + 4 × 3 =I
49 + 3 × 8 =D
5 + 2 × 4 =T
27 + 3 × 7 =C
10 + 3 × 5 =L
0/18 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
Dividing the extra water bottles evenly among the players uncovers a hidden message.
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
12 ÷ 3 = ?
15 ÷ 3 = ?
24 ÷ 2 = ?
27 ÷ 3 = ?
24 ÷ 12 = ?
44 ÷ 4 = ?
5 ÷ 5 = ?
14 ÷ 2 = ?
24 ÷ 4 = ?
100 ÷ 10 = ?
36 ÷ 12 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain spiked the volleyball into the lights, then checked their BarkNet sleeves.
2.The villain blocked the opponent at the net, then checked their BarkNet sleeves.
3.The villain spiked the volleyball into the lights, then strapped on their GoldenGrip gloves.
4.The villain dumped the ball over the net, then adjusted their CanineKnees pads.
5.The villain dumped the ball over the net, then checked their BarkNet sleeves.
6.The villain blocked the opponent at the net, then pulled on their Pawsitive socks.
7.The villain dumped the ball over the net, then laced up their SpikePup sneakers.
8.The villain dug the match ball into the bleachers, then pulled on their Pawsitive socks.
9.The villain spiked the volleyball into the lights, then adjusted their CanineKnees pads.
10.The villain blocked the opponent at the net, then adjusted their CanineKnees pads.
11.The villain dumped the ball over the net, then pulled on their Pawsitive socks.
12.The villain dug the match ball into the bleachers, then adjusted their CanineKnees pads.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Golden Paw Volleyball Mystery
Culprit: Tori Dixon (Diving Dig · Pawsitive · Right Handed · Spotted Fur · Squeaky Toys)
- Clue 1 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE SUSPECT DOES NOT USE GOLDENGRIP GEAR"8 × 9 = 72 (T) · 11 × 2 = 22 (G) · 7 × 4 = 28 (L) · 7 × 9 = 63 (I) · 9 × 3 = 27 (O) · 10 × 4 = 40 (A) · 7 × 3 = 21 (U) · 3 × 1 = 3 (C) · 5 × 3 = 15 (P) · 9 × 6 = 54 (H) · 9 × 12 = 108 (N) · 2 × 2 = 4 (E) · 11 × 1 = 11 (S) · 9 × 11 = 99 (R) · 6 × 11 = 66 (D)
- Clue 2 (Word problems): "RIGHT HANDED"There were 144 treat bags. 31 were used up. How many treat bags are left? = 113 (R) · There were 132 treat bags. 13 were used up. How many treat bags are left? = 119 (H) · There were 33 treat bags. 17 were used up. How many treat bags are left? = 16 (N) · There were 121 chew toys. 33 were used up. How many chew toys are left? = 88 (G) · There were 85 kneepads. 6 were used up. How many kneepads are left? = 79 (T) · Coach Retriever lined up 3 rows of 6 whistles. How many whistles in all? = 18 (A) · There were 123 volleyballs. 5 were used up. How many volleyballs are left? = 118 (I)
- Clue 3 (Fractions of a number): "THE VILLAIN DROPPED THE BALL FOR A SQUEAKY TOY"3/5 of 30 = 18 (T) · 3/10 of 70 = 21 (Q) · 1/10 of 110 = 11 (V) · 1/10 of 190 = 19 (K) · 1/4 of 28 = 7 (H) · 1/5 of 115 = 23 (Y) · 2/6 of 105 = 35 (R) · 1/6 of 60 = 10 (P) · 4/8 of 60 = 30 (E) · 4/6 of 3 = 2 (B) · 4/10 of 85 = 34 (F) · 2/8 of 80 = 20 (D) · 1/4 of 32 = 8 (A) · 5/10 of 78 = 39 (N) · 1/4 of 116 = 29 (S) · 2/4 of 18 = 9 (L) · 5/10 of 26 = 13 (I) · 1/5 of 80 = 16 (U) · 2/8 of 100 = 25 (O)
- Clue 4 (Order of operations): "SPOTTED FUR WAS FOUND IN THE LOCKER ROOM"6 × 11 - 27 = 39 (S) · 4 × 12 - 4 = 44 (O) · 3 × 12 - 18 = 18 (R) · 24 + 8 × 6 = 72 (U) · 14 + 8 × 6 = 62 (K) · 8 × 8 - 9 = 55 (E) · 5 × 5 - 16 = 9 (N) · 8 × 9 - 1 = 71 (P) · 21 + 2 × 3 = 27 (M) · 4 × 8 - 4 = 28 (H) · 24 + 3 × 2 = 30 (W) · 8 × 10 - 4 = 76 (A) · 74 + 2 × 2 = 78 (F) · 37 + 4 × 3 = 49 (I) · 49 + 3 × 8 = 73 (D) · 5 + 2 × 4 = 13 (T) · 27 + 3 × 7 = 48 (C) · 10 + 3 × 5 = 25 (L)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 8) → Tori Dixon12 ÷ 3 = 4 · 15 ÷ 3 = 5 · 24 ÷ 2 = 12 · 27 ÷ 3 = 9 · 24 ÷ 12 = 2 · 44 ÷ 4 = 11 · 5 ÷ 5 = 1 · 14 ÷ 2 = 7 · 24 ÷ 4 = 6 · 100 ÷ 10 = 10 · 36 ÷ 12 = 3
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 5 math
- Math topics
- Multiplication, Word problems, Fractions of a number, Order of operations, Division
- Reading level
- grades 7-9
- Theme
- The Golden Paw Volleyball Mystery — set in Paw Beach Volleyball Arena
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects