🔎 BottomsGrade 1Reading: grades 1-2AdditionSubtractionSkip countingPlace valueMissing addends
The Great Bottoms Mystery
Someone mixed up all the bottom wear outfits at the Pantsburg Style Depot! Solve the math clues to find out which suspect swapped the clothes!
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 | Bottoms Style | Accessory | Shirt Style | Hairstyle | Tool Defect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belt Buckle Bob | Work Overalls | Neon Belts | Tucks In Shirts | Braided Pigtails | Lint Roller |
| Snap Sue | Cozy Sweatpants | Bright Suspenders | Tucks In Shirts | Curly Wig | Sticky Tape |
| Sam Shorts | Plaid Skirt | Bright Suspenders | Tucks In Shirts | Spiky Mohawk | Sticky Tape |
| Plaid Piper | Cargo Shorts | Brass Buckles | Tucks In Shirts | Spiky Mohawk | Zipper Jam |
| Fringe Fred | Plaid Skirt | Patched Pockets | Tucks In Shirts | Braided Pigtails | Zipper Jam |
| Stitch Stan | Plaid Skirt | Brass Buckles | Tucks In Shirts | Braided Pigtails | Sticky Tape |
| Pocket Patty | Work Overalls | Bright Suspenders | Leaves Shirts Untucked | Curly Wig | Sticky Tape |
| Cuff Clara | Plaid Skirt | Fringe Trim | Leaves Shirts Untucked | Spiky Mohawk | Lint Roller |
| Sallie Skirt | Work Overalls | Neon Belts | Tucks In Shirts | Spiky Mohawk | Lint Roller |
| Sweatpant Syd | Cozy Sweatpants | Brass Buckles | Tucks In Shirts | Braided Pigtails | Lint Roller |
| Pleat Pam | Denim Jeans | Fringe Trim | Tucks In Shirts | Curly Wig | Lint Roller |
| Loom Luke | Cozy Sweatpants | Brass Buckles | Tucks In Shirts | Spiky Mohawk | Lint Roller |
| Ollie Overalls | Denim Jeans | Bright Suspenders | Leaves Shirts Untucked | Spiky Mohawk | Sticky Tape |
| Cargo Carl | Plaid Skirt | Fringe Trim | Leaves Shirts Untucked | Spiky Mohawk | Sticky Tape |
| Penny Pants | Cargo Shorts | Fringe Trim | Tucks In Shirts | Spiky Mohawk | Lint Roller |
| Thread Thea | Cozy Sweatpants | Fringe Trim | Tucks In Shirts | Spiky Mohawk | Lint Roller |
| Jerry Jeans | Cargo Shorts | Bright Suspenders | Tucks In Shirts | Spiky Mohawk | Lint Roller |
| Denim Dan | Denim Jeans | Patched Pockets | Tucks In Shirts | Spiky Mohawk | Lint Roller |
| Button Ben | Cozy Sweatpants | Patched Pockets | Leaves Shirts Untucked | Spiky Mohawk | Sticky Tape |
| Zipper Zelda | Work Overalls | Patched Pockets | Leaves Shirts Untucked | Braided Pigtails | Sticky Tape |
| Patch Pete | Plaid Skirt | Bright Suspenders | Leaves Shirts Untucked | Spiky Mohawk | Lint Roller |
Clue 1
Addition
We add up all the pants dropped on the store floor to find our first 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
12
20
9
11
7
14
14
10
7
5
6
4
9
2
5
4
T
12
19
9
10
13
17
13
7
5
8
9
T
12
13
7
18
6 + 6 =T
14 + 5 =W
6 + 4 =A
9 + 4 =R
1 + 1 =S
3 + 6 =E
5 + 1 =D
3 + 4 =I
3 + 1 =O
8 + 10 =M
8 + 12 =H
4 + 7 =V
6 + 2 =G
2 + 3 =N
8 + 6 =L
11 + 6 =F
0/16 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
We take away the folded shorts from the total pile to see what is left.
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
5
9
8
2
14
15
15
15
17
W
5
8
6
14
15
2
14
17
19
8
12
13
19
15
9
2
15
6
9
10
8
15
12 - 7 =W
16 - 1 =S
19 - 6 =C
20 - 3 =A
16 - 4 =U
9 - 3 =H
20 - 6 =E
16 - 6 =R
11 - 3 =T
20 - 1 =K
7 - 5 =N
15 - 6 =I
0/12 letters found
Clue 3
Skip counting
We count the belt loops by twos along the rack to find another hint.
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
10
50
130
36
16
42
8
140
T
10
120
16
60
60
T
10
9
20
20
130
8
36
33
16
45
140
42
T
10
6
9
45
45
130
6
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14T
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55L
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, ___, 55, 60H
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42B
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39Y
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15O
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12D
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70S
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160I
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10R
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150E
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, ___, 22, 24P
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20A
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48N
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, ___, 130, 140W
0/15 letters found
Clue 4
Place value
We look at the tens and ones on the clothing price tag to read a code.
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
56
44
21
90
28
67
81
38
94
A
56
69
28
94
A
56
90
32
69
A
56
44
34
16
79
17
38
82
17
94
16
39
16
34
17
What number has 5 tens and 6 ones?A
What number has 9 tens and 0 ones?I
What number has 9 tens and 4 ones?H
What number has 6 tens and 9 ones?W
What number has 4 tens and 4 ones?S
What number has 8 tens and 2 ones?N
What number has 8 tens and 1 one?M
What number has 1 ten and 7 ones?T
What number has 7 tens and 9 ones?F
What number has 3 tens and 8 ones?O
What number has 2 tens and 1 one?P
What number has 1 ten and 6 ones?E
What number has 3 tens and 9 ones?B
What number has 2 tens and 8 ones?K
What number has 6 tens and 7 ones?Y
What number has 3 tens and 2 ones?R
What number has 3 tens and 4 ones?L
0/17 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
We figure out how many more buttons we need to complete the rack mystery.
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
3 + ___ = 6
5 + ___ = 17
9 + ___ = 13
3 + ___ = 9
4 + ___ = 14
10 + ___ = 21
3 + ___ = 8
5 + ___ = 13
4 + ___ = 6
6 + ___ = 13
8 + ___ = 9
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain snatched cozy sweatpants, then stuffed patched pockets.
2.The villain took a plaid skirt, then stuffed patched pockets.
3.The villain grabbed cargo shorts, then snapped bright suspenders.
4.The villain swiped work overalls, then buckled neon belts.
5.The villain grabbed cargo shorts, then clasped brass buckles.
6.The villain snatched cozy sweatpants, then buckled neon belts.
7.The villain took a plaid skirt, then buckled neon belts.
8.The villain snatched cozy sweatpants, then snapped bright suspenders.
9.The villain snagged denim jeans, then stuffed patched pockets.
10.The villain snagged denim jeans, then clasped brass buckles.
11.The villain swiped work overalls, then snapped bright suspenders.
12.The villain snatched cozy sweatpants, then clasped brass buckles.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Great Bottoms Mystery
Culprit: Denim Dan (Denim Jeans · Patched Pockets · Tucks In Shirts · Spiky Mohawk · Lint Roller)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT WEAR FRINGE TRIM"6 + 6 = 12 (T) · 14 + 5 = 19 (W) · 6 + 4 = 10 (A) · 9 + 4 = 13 (R) · 1 + 1 = 2 (S) · 3 + 6 = 9 (E) · 5 + 1 = 6 (D) · 3 + 4 = 7 (I) · 3 + 1 = 4 (O) · 8 + 10 = 18 (M) · 8 + 12 = 20 (H) · 4 + 7 = 11 (V) · 6 + 2 = 8 (G) · 2 + 3 = 5 (N) · 8 + 6 = 14 (L) · 11 + 6 = 17 (F)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "WITNESS SAW THE SNEAK TUCKS IN SHIRTS"12 - 7 = 5 (W) · 16 - 1 = 15 (S) · 19 - 6 = 13 (C) · 20 - 3 = 17 (A) · 16 - 4 = 12 (U) · 9 - 3 = 6 (H) · 20 - 6 = 14 (E) · 16 - 6 = 10 (R) · 11 - 3 = 8 (T) · 20 - 1 = 19 (K) · 7 - 5 = 2 (N) · 15 - 6 = 9 (I)
- Clue 3 (Skip counting): "THE BANDIT WAS STOPPED BY A LINT ROLLER"Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (T) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55 = 45 (L) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, ___, 55, 60 = 50 (H) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (B) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (Y) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15 = 9 (O) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12 = 8 (D) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70 = 60 (S) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160 = 140 (I) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (R) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (E) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, ___, 22, 24 = 20 (P) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (A) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48 = 42 (N) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, ___, 130, 140 = 120 (W)
- Clue 4 (Place value): "A SPIKY MOHAWK HAIR WAS LEFT ON THE BELT"What number has 5 tens and 6 ones? = 56 (A) · What number has 9 tens and 0 ones? = 90 (I) · What number has 9 tens and 4 ones? = 94 (H) · What number has 6 tens and 9 ones? = 69 (W) · What number has 4 tens and 4 ones? = 44 (S) · What number has 8 tens and 2 ones? = 82 (N) · What number has 8 tens and 1 one? = 81 (M) · What number has 1 ten and 7 ones? = 17 (T) · What number has 7 tens and 9 ones? = 79 (F) · What number has 3 tens and 8 ones? = 38 (O) · What number has 2 tens and 1 one? = 21 (P) · What number has 1 ten and 6 ones? = 16 (E) · What number has 3 tens and 9 ones? = 39 (B) · What number has 2 tens and 8 ones? = 28 (K) · What number has 6 tens and 7 ones? = 67 (Y) · What number has 3 tens and 2 ones? = 32 (R) · What number has 3 tens and 4 ones? = 34 (L)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 9) → Denim Dan3 + ___ = 6 = 3 · 5 + ___ = 17 = 12 · 9 + ___ = 13 = 4 · 3 + ___ = 9 = 6 · 4 + ___ = 14 = 10 · 10 + ___ = 21 = 11 · 3 + ___ = 8 = 5 · 5 + ___ = 13 = 8 · 4 + ___ = 6 = 2 · 6 + ___ = 13 = 7 · 8 + ___ = 9 = 1
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 1 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Subtraction, Skip counting, Place value, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 1-2
- Theme
- The Great Bottoms Mystery — set in Pantsburg Style Depot
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects