🐱 Cat machinesGrade 4Reading: grades 3-4RoundingAdditionSubtractionMultiplicationDivision
The Great Construction Cat Mystery
Someone hijacked a massive feline construction machine and scrambled the blueprints for the new playground! Solve the math clues to identify which operator caused the chaos before quitting time.
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 Attachment | Special System | Control Preference | Chassis Color | Mechanical Snag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Sprocket | Bulldozer Blade | Hydraulic Leap | Left Lever Control | Neon Yellow Paint | Loose Bolts |
| Felix Fender | Bulldozer Blade | Sonic Horn | Right Lever Control | Bright Blue Paint | Muddy Treads |
| Barnaby Bolt | Excavator Scoop | Laser Level | Right Lever Control | Metallic Orange Paint | Spilled Grease |
| Piper Piston | Wrecking Paw | Magnet Winch | Left Lever Control | Metallic Orange Paint | Spilled Grease |
| Mia Mudflap | Crane Hook | Sonic Horn | Left Lever Control | Metallic Orange Paint | Spilled Grease |
| Oliver Oilcan | Trench Digger | Magnet Winch | Left Lever Control | Bright Blue Paint | Spilled Grease |
| Leo Loader | Excavator Scoop | Magnet Winch | Left Lever Control | Neon Yellow Paint | Spilled Grease |
| Bruno Bulldozer | Wrecking Paw | Magnet Winch | Right Lever Control | Neon Yellow Paint | Spilled Grease |
| Whiskers Wrench | Crane Hook | Magnet Winch | Right Lever Control | Neon Yellow Paint | Loose Bolts |
| Jasper Jackhammer | Trench Digger | Turbo Tread | Left Lever Control | Neon Yellow Paint | Spilled Grease |
| Clara Caterpillar | Trench Digger | Laser Level | Right Lever Control | Neon Yellow Paint | Muddy Treads |
| Cleo Crane | Wrecking Paw | Magnet Winch | Right Lever Control | Neon Yellow Paint | Muddy Treads |
| Gasket Gus | Trench Digger | Hydraulic Leap | Left Lever Control | Bright Blue Paint | Loose Bolts |
| Victor Valve | Wrecking Paw | Laser Level | Left Lever Control | Neon Yellow Paint | Loose Bolts |
| Allie Axle | Wrecking Paw | Sonic Horn | Left Lever Control | Metallic Orange Paint | Loose Bolts |
| Tabby Treads | Wrecking Paw | Magnet Winch | Left Lever Control | Neon Yellow Paint | Spilled Grease |
| Grease Paw Gary | Excavator Scoop | Hydraulic Leap | Left Lever Control | Neon Yellow Paint | Spilled Grease |
| Hazel Hydraulics | Wrecking Paw | Magnet Winch | Right Lever Control | Metallic Orange Paint | Loose Bolts |
| Kit Katerpillar | Excavator Scoop | Sonic Horn | Left Lever Control | Neon Yellow Paint | Spilled Grease |
| Frank Fuel | Trench Digger | Laser Level | Left Lever Control | Bright Blue Paint | Muddy Treads |
| Evie Engine | Crane Hook | Magnet Winch | Left Lever Control | Bright Blue Paint | Muddy Treads |
Clue 1
Rounding
The site security monitor rounds all output numbers to the nearest ten. Read the rounded display to clear the first lead.
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
900
2900
9000
170
3000
70
70
5000
3000
2000
90
2300
9000
430
2000
2300
T
900
230
430
9000
5000
430
2300
2000
3000
130
2900
2300
30
2000
Round 946 to the nearest hundredT
Round 88 to the nearest tenD
Round 426 to the nearest tenS
Round 233 to the nearest tenU
Round 8,916 to the nearest thousandE
Round 73 to the nearest tenL
Round 2,892 to the nearest hundredH
Round 170 to the nearest tenV
Round 3,203 to the nearest thousandI
Round 2,294 to the nearest hundredO
Round 4,656 to the nearest thousandA
Round 1,771 to the nearest thousandN
Round 129 to the nearest tenC
Round 26 to the nearest tenR
0/14 letters found
Clue 2
Addition
Mechanic Whiskers tallied up all the spare copper pipes found near the job site. Add the totals together to unlock the second 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
7706
4985
8987
6136
2815
8987
4624
6888
9529
6136
2130
6136
7788
8987
4791
T
7706
2130
6136
8987
4198
8985
8987
9778
T
7706
8985
8987
6278
8987
4980
4791
4185
2815
T
7706
4980
4185
8985
4561 + 3145 =T
2820 + 1971 =C
3114 + 1510 =A
2493 + 3785 =V
1566 + 2619 =O
4665 + 3123 =P
865 + 1265 =U
2191 + 2789 =R
1130 + 1685 =N
2887 + 2098 =H
2565 + 4323 =K
5249 + 3738 =E
4377 + 5401 =F
3647 + 5882 =Y
2842 + 3294 =S
5298 + 3687 =L
1302 + 2896 =D
0/17 letters found
Clue 3
Subtraction
A stash of diesel cans was taken from the supply shed. Subtract the remaining cans from the start count to reveal clue three.
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
1616
4249
8752
7868
7002
6255
6255
3984
7002
5384
2982
3984
5184
5184
T
1616
8711
5666
5666
8752
6006
5595
3388
5184
5666
7002
6255
6255
8752
6006
6453
2785
8752
3984
5184
8752
1820 - 204 =T
6856 - 850 =D
9418 - 707 =O
3425 - 37 =Y
8767 - 4518 =H
9929 - 3476 =G
7431 - 429 =I
6836 - 1652 =S
5836 - 170 =P
9740 - 988 =E
9259 - 1391 =V
4228 - 244 =A
5810 - 2828 =W
9274 - 3679 =B
9775 - 4391 =N
8897 - 2642 =L
3818 - 1033 =R
0/17 letters found
Clue 4
Multiplication facts (1-12)
The crew arranged rows of heavy steel girders across the yard. Multiply the stacks to discover the fourth piece of evidence.
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
36
22
64
7
66
64
77
64
22
27
44
77
64
63
77
18
64
60
60
63
55
70
27
40
77
T
36
7
66
80
27
70
64
7
4 × 9 =T
11 × 6 =C
1 × 7 =S
10 × 6 =L
11 × 4 =D
10 × 7 =P
5 × 11 =W
11 × 2 =H
9 × 3 =A
9 × 2 =Y
8 × 10 =R
10 × 4 =I
7 × 9 =O
8 × 8 =E
7 × 11 =N
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
The team split the gearboxes into equal crates for inspection. Divide the total parts to pinpoint the final mystery detail.
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
84 ÷ 7 = ?
12 ÷ 3 = ?
90 ÷ 10 = ?
40 ÷ 4 = ?
77 ÷ 7 = ?
40 ÷ 5 = ?
48 ÷ 8 = ?
20 ÷ 10 = ?
3 ÷ 3 = ?
60 ÷ 12 = ?
28 ÷ 4 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain rammed the wrecking paw, then scanned with the laser level.
2.The villain pushed the bulldozer blade, then activated the turbo tread.
3.The villain rammed the wrecking paw, then grabbed with the magnet winch.
4.The villain swung the excavator scoop, then grabbed with the magnet winch.
5.The villain rammed the wrecking paw, then blared the sonic horn.
6.The villain hoisted the crane hook, then scanned with the laser level.
7.The villain carved with the trench digger, then engaged the hydraulic leap.
8.The villain pushed the bulldozer blade, then grabbed with the magnet winch.
9.The villain carved with the trench digger, then activated the turbo tread.
10.The villain hoisted the crane hook, then grabbed with the magnet winch.
11.The villain hoisted the crane hook, then engaged the hydraulic leap.
12.The villain swung the excavator scoop, then engaged the hydraulic leap.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Great Construction Cat Mystery
Culprit: Tabby Treads (Wrecking Paw · Magnet Winch · Left Lever Control · Neon Yellow Paint · Spilled Grease)
- Clue 1 (Rounding): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT USE A SONIC HORN"Round 946 to the nearest hundred = 900 (T) · Round 88 to the nearest ten = 90 (D) · Round 426 to the nearest ten = 430 (S) · Round 233 to the nearest ten = 230 (U) · Round 8,916 to the nearest thousand = 9000 (E) · Round 73 to the nearest ten = 70 (L) · Round 2,892 to the nearest hundred = 2900 (H) · Round 170 to the nearest ten = 170 (V) · Round 3,203 to the nearest thousand = 3000 (I) · Round 2,294 to the nearest hundred = 2300 (O) · Round 4,656 to the nearest thousand = 5000 (A) · Round 1,771 to the nearest thousand = 2000 (N) · Round 129 to the nearest ten = 130 (C) · Round 26 to the nearest ten = 30 (R)
- Clue 2 (Addition): "THE SNEAKY SUSPECT USED LEFT LEVER CONTROL"4561 + 3145 = 7706 (T) · 2820 + 1971 = 4791 (C) · 3114 + 1510 = 4624 (A) · 2493 + 3785 = 6278 (V) · 1566 + 2619 = 4185 (O) · 4665 + 3123 = 7788 (P) · 865 + 1265 = 2130 (U) · 2191 + 2789 = 4980 (R) · 1130 + 1685 = 2815 (N) · 2887 + 2098 = 4985 (H) · 2565 + 4323 = 6888 (K) · 5249 + 3738 = 8987 (E) · 4377 + 5401 = 9778 (F) · 3647 + 5882 = 9529 (Y) · 2842 + 3294 = 6136 (S) · 5298 + 3687 = 8985 (L) · 1302 + 2896 = 4198 (D)
- Clue 3 (Subtraction): "THE VILLAIN WAS STOPPED BY SPILLED GREASE"1820 - 204 = 1616 (T) · 6856 - 850 = 6006 (D) · 9418 - 707 = 8711 (O) · 3425 - 37 = 3388 (Y) · 8767 - 4518 = 4249 (H) · 9929 - 3476 = 6453 (G) · 7431 - 429 = 7002 (I) · 6836 - 1652 = 5184 (S) · 5836 - 170 = 5666 (P) · 9740 - 988 = 8752 (E) · 9259 - 1391 = 7868 (V) · 4228 - 244 = 3984 (A) · 5810 - 2828 = 2982 (W) · 9274 - 3679 = 5595 (B) · 9775 - 4391 = 5384 (N) · 8897 - 2642 = 6255 (L) · 3818 - 1033 = 2785 (R)
- Clue 4 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE SCENE HAD NEON YELLOW PAINT SCRAPES"4 × 9 = 36 (T) · 11 × 6 = 66 (C) · 1 × 7 = 7 (S) · 10 × 6 = 60 (L) · 11 × 4 = 44 (D) · 10 × 7 = 70 (P) · 5 × 11 = 55 (W) · 11 × 2 = 22 (H) · 9 × 3 = 27 (A) · 9 × 2 = 18 (Y) · 8 × 10 = 80 (R) · 10 × 4 = 40 (I) · 7 × 9 = 63 (O) · 8 × 8 = 64 (E) · 7 × 11 = 77 (N)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 3) → Tabby Treads84 ÷ 7 = 12 · 12 ÷ 3 = 4 · 90 ÷ 10 = 9 · 40 ÷ 4 = 10 · 77 ÷ 7 = 11 · 40 ÷ 5 = 8 · 48 ÷ 8 = 6 · 20 ÷ 10 = 2 · 3 ÷ 3 = 1 · 60 ÷ 12 = 5 · 28 ÷ 4 = 7
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 4 math
- Math topics
- Rounding, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Great Construction Cat Mystery — set in Iron Paw Construction Site
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects