🚀 SpaceGrade 5Reading: grades 3-4MultiplicationWord problemsFractions of a numberOrder of operationsDivision
The Lunar Base Mystery
A mysterious space bandit snuck into Moonbase Alpha and scrambled the navigation computers. Solve the math clues around the station to identify the culprit before the shuttle takes off.
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 | Main Tool | Space Gear | Dominant Hand | Space Suit Hair | Defense Gadget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Glenn | Jetpack | Oxygen Tank | Left Handed | Neon Blue Mohawk | Magnetic Pulse Magnet |
| Chris Hadfield | Jetpack | Oxygen Tank | Left Handed | Silver Crew Cut | Magnetic Pulse Magnet |
| Michael Collins | Laser Blaster | Oxygen Tank | Right Handed | Green Space Pigtails | Starlight Flashlight |
| Sally Ride | Gravity Boots | Space Helmet | Left Handed | Green Space Pigtails | Magnetic Pulse Magnet |
| Scott Kelly | Plasma Shield | Oxygen Tank | Right Handed | Silver Crew Cut | Magnetic Pulse Magnet |
| Christina Koch | Tractor Beam | Moon Rover | Left Handed | Silver Crew Cut | Magnetic Pulse Magnet |
| Tim Peake | Tractor Beam | Moon Rover | Left Handed | Neon Blue Mohawk | Cosmic Dust Spray |
| Sunita Williams | Laser Blaster | Solar Panel | Left Handed | Neon Blue Mohawk | Cosmic Dust Spray |
| Guion Bluford | Tractor Beam | Oxygen Tank | Left Handed | Silver Crew Cut | Magnetic Pulse Magnet |
| Anne McClain | Jetpack | Solar Panel | Left Handed | Neon Blue Mohawk | Cosmic Dust Spray |
| Mae Jemison | Jetpack | Solar Panel | Right Handed | Silver Crew Cut | Magnetic Pulse Magnet |
| Peggy Whitson | Plasma Shield | Star Map | Left Handed | Green Space Pigtails | Magnetic Pulse Magnet |
| Eileen Collins | Jetpack | Star Map | Right Handed | Neon Blue Mohawk | Magnetic Pulse Magnet |
| Alan Shepard | Gravity Boots | Space Helmet | Left Handed | Neon Blue Mohawk | Cosmic Dust Spray |
| Kalpana Chawla | Plasma Shield | Space Helmet | Right Handed | Silver Crew Cut | Cosmic Dust Spray |
| Yuri Gagarin | Tractor Beam | Space Helmet | Left Handed | Green Space Pigtails | Cosmic Dust Spray |
| Buzz Aldrin | Laser Blaster | Moon Rover | Left Handed | Green Space Pigtails | Magnetic Pulse Magnet |
| Jessica Meir | Plasma Shield | Space Helmet | Right Handed | Green Space Pigtails | Magnetic Pulse Magnet |
| Leland Melvin | Plasma Shield | Solar Panel | Left Handed | Green Space Pigtails | Magnetic Pulse Magnet |
| Samantha Cristoforetti | Tractor Beam | Oxygen Tank | Right Handed | Neon Blue Mohawk | Cosmic Dust Spray |
| Kjell Lindgren | Gravity Boots | Oxygen Tank | Left Handed | Neon Blue Mohawk | Cosmic Dust Spray |
Clue 1
Multiplication facts (1-12)
We found rows of storage lockers in the space station hangar. Count the crates in each row to crack the 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.
T
24
32
120
49
2
64
64
66
2
28
8
42
120
12
28
42
T
24
121
12
120
66
84
42
42
28
4
42
49
120
4
12 × 2 =T
11 × 6 =A
11 × 11 =U
2 × 1 =I
7 × 4 =N
12 × 10 =E
12 × 7 =M
1 × 12 =S
2 × 4 =D
7 × 6 =O
8 × 4 =H
7 × 7 =V
8 × 8 =L
2 × 2 =R
0/14 letters found
Clue 2
Word problems
Commander Alex needs to figure out how many supplies were moved during the moon patrol.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
L
18
12
79
58
117
34
21
D
12
D
Commander Alex found 15 alien pods yesterday and 3 more today. How many alien pods in all?L
Commander Alex found 11 moon rocks yesterday and 10 more today. How many moon rocks in all?N
Commander Alex found 3 star charts yesterday and 9 more today. How many star charts in all?E
Commander Alex found 58 star charts yesterday and 59 more today. How many star charts in all?H
Commander Alex found 26 space crystals yesterday and 8 more today. How many space crystals in all?A
There were 87 moon rocks. 8 were used up. How many moon rocks are left?F
Commander Alex found 16 alien pods yesterday and 42 more today. How many alien pods in all?T
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Fractions of a number
Only a fraction of the power grid is working after the space break-in. Calculate the power level to proceed.
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
22
31
A
2
39
3
6
40
12
6
39
16
19
12
27
5
39
3
39
9
32
A
2
26
12
38
A
2
39
28
27
3
38
28
16
5/10 of 4 =A
1/3 of 27 =P
3/6 of 62 =L
5/10 of 38 =I
1/8 of 24 =T
2/8 of 104 =Y
1/8 of 176 =B
4/10 of 95 =H
1/4 of 160 =F
2/10 of 60 =C
3/6 of 78 =S
8/10 of 35 =E
6/8 of 8 =O
4/5 of 40 =R
3/8 of 72 =D
2/6 of 15 =U
1/6 of 96 =M
0/17 letters found
Clue 4
Order of operations
The airlock computer requires a multi-step security override code. Solve the steps in order to unlock it.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
N
20
76
16
N
20
22
21
7
76
43
9
31
24
30
66
24
9
N
20
44
30
73
76
24
76
21
76
42
66
16
N
20
30
76
9
66
4 + 2 × 8 =N
9 × 10 - 14 =E
6 × 7 - 12 =S
6 × 8 - 24 =R
12 × 8 - 23 =W
20 + 3 × 8 =D
6 × 6 - 27 =A
3 × 11 - 26 =U
18 + 6 × 4 =F
19 + 3 × 8 =H
4 × 10 - 18 =B
9 + 4 × 3 =L
38 + 4 × 7 =T
4 × 7 - 12 =O
8 × 5 - 9 =I
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
The launch team has to divide the fuel canisters equally among the shuttle engines.
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 ÷ 1 = ?
88 ÷ 11 = ?
8 ÷ 2 = ?
81 ÷ 9 = ?
60 ÷ 6 = ?
24 ÷ 2 = ?
36 ÷ 6 = ?
4 ÷ 4 = ?
20 ÷ 4 = ?
7 ÷ 1 = ?
24 ÷ 12 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain activates plasma shields, then checks the star map.
2.The villain locks the tractor beam, then checks the star map.
3.The villain fires the laser blast, then charges the solar panel.
4.The villain zaps the station controls, then charges the solar panel.
5.The villain fires the laser blast, then opens the oxygen tank.
6.The villain zaps the station controls, then opens the oxygen tank.
7.The villain boosts through gravity, then charges the solar panel.
8.The villain boosts through gravity, then seals the space helmet.
9.The villain activates plasma shields, then drives the moon rover.
10.The villain fires the laser blast, then seals the space helmet.
11.The villain boosts through gravity, then opens the oxygen tank.
12.The villain activates plasma shields, then charges the solar panel.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Lunar Base Mystery
Culprit: Kjell Lindgren (Gravity Boots · Oxygen Tank · Left Handed · Neon Blue Mohawk · Cosmic Dust Spray)
- Clue 1 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT USE A MOON ROVER"12 × 2 = 24 (T) · 11 × 6 = 66 (A) · 11 × 11 = 121 (U) · 2 × 1 = 2 (I) · 7 × 4 = 28 (N) · 12 × 10 = 120 (E) · 12 × 7 = 84 (M) · 1 × 12 = 12 (S) · 2 × 4 = 8 (D) · 7 × 6 = 42 (O) · 8 × 4 = 32 (H) · 7 × 7 = 49 (V) · 8 × 8 = 64 (L) · 2 × 2 = 4 (R)
- Clue 2 (Word problems): "LEFT HANDED"Commander Alex found 15 alien pods yesterday and 3 more today. How many alien pods in all? = 18 (L) · Commander Alex found 11 moon rocks yesterday and 10 more today. How many moon rocks in all? = 21 (N) · Commander Alex found 3 star charts yesterday and 9 more today. How many star charts in all? = 12 (E) · Commander Alex found 58 star charts yesterday and 59 more today. How many star charts in all? = 117 (H) · Commander Alex found 26 space crystals yesterday and 8 more today. How many space crystals in all? = 34 (A) · There were 87 moon rocks. 8 were used up. How many moon rocks are left? = 79 (F) · Commander Alex found 16 alien pods yesterday and 42 more today. How many alien pods in all? = 58 (T)
- Clue 3 (Fractions of a number): "A BLAST OF COSMIC DUST SPRAY CHASED THEM"5/10 of 4 = 2 (A) · 1/3 of 27 = 9 (P) · 3/6 of 62 = 31 (L) · 5/10 of 38 = 19 (I) · 1/8 of 24 = 3 (T) · 2/8 of 104 = 26 (Y) · 1/8 of 176 = 22 (B) · 4/10 of 95 = 38 (H) · 1/4 of 160 = 40 (F) · 2/10 of 60 = 12 (C) · 3/6 of 78 = 39 (S) · 8/10 of 35 = 28 (E) · 6/8 of 8 = 6 (O) · 4/5 of 40 = 32 (R) · 3/8 of 72 = 27 (D) · 2/6 of 15 = 5 (U) · 1/6 of 96 = 16 (M)
- Clue 4 (Order of operations): "NEON BLUE HAIR STRANDS WERE LEFT ON SEAT"4 + 2 × 8 = 20 (N) · 9 × 10 - 14 = 76 (E) · 6 × 7 - 12 = 30 (S) · 6 × 8 - 24 = 24 (R) · 12 × 8 - 23 = 73 (W) · 20 + 3 × 8 = 44 (D) · 6 × 6 - 27 = 9 (A) · 3 × 11 - 26 = 7 (U) · 18 + 6 × 4 = 42 (F) · 19 + 3 × 8 = 43 (H) · 4 × 10 - 18 = 22 (B) · 9 + 4 × 3 = 21 (L) · 38 + 4 × 7 = 66 (T) · 4 × 7 - 12 = 16 (O) · 8 × 5 - 9 = 31 (I)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 11) → Kjell Lindgren3 ÷ 1 = 3 · 88 ÷ 11 = 8 · 8 ÷ 2 = 4 · 81 ÷ 9 = 9 · 60 ÷ 6 = 10 · 24 ÷ 2 = 12 · 36 ÷ 6 = 6 · 4 ÷ 4 = 1 · 20 ÷ 4 = 5 · 7 ÷ 1 = 7 · 24 ÷ 12 = 2
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 5 math
- Math topics
- Multiplication, Word problems, Fractions of a number, Order of operations, Division
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Lunar Base Mystery — set in Moonbase Alpha Command Station
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects