🦕 DinosaursGrade 4Reading: grades 3-4MultiplicationSkip countingFractions of a numberRoundingDivision
The Mesozoic Valley Fossil Mystery
A rare glowing T-Rex egg fossil was taken from the dig site overnight! Solve the clues to reveal the culprit before they escape the valley.
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 | Dino Ability | Dig Gear | Dominant Hand | Headwear | Defense Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger Sam | T Rex Strength | Fossil Scanner | Left Handed | Blue Cap | Cold Spray |
| Scout Penny | Tri Shield | Mud Boots | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Loud Whistle |
| Scientist Sally | Raptor Speed | Fossil Scanner | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Cold Spray |
| Alan Grant | Ptero Glider | Fossil Scanner | Left Handed | Red Helmet | Bright Flash |
| Digging Doug | Raptor Speed | Bone Whistle | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Cold Spray |
| Ian Malcolm | Ptero Glider | Rock Pick | Right Handed | Red Helmet | Cold Spray |
| Fossil Frank | Raptor Speed | Fossil Scanner | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Bright Flash |
| Explorer Emma | Raptor Speed | Fossil Scanner | Right Handed | Green Visor | Loud Whistle |
| Excavator Eva | Tri Shield | Mud Boots | Right Handed | Red Helmet | Bright Flash |
| Maya Stone | Stego Armor | Amber Lens | Right Handed | Green Visor | Bright Flash |
| Claire Dearing | Ptero Glider | Bone Whistle | Right Handed | Green Visor | Cold Spray |
| Ranger Bob | Stego Armor | Mud Boots | Left Handed | Red Helmet | Cold Spray |
| Surveyor Sue | Stego Armor | Amber Lens | Right Handed | Green Visor | Cold Spray |
| Tracker Tim | T Rex Strength | Mud Boots | Right Handed | Green Visor | Loud Whistle |
| Ranger Roy | Tri Shield | Bone Whistle | Right Handed | Green Visor | Cold Spray |
| Owen Grady | T Rex Strength | Mud Boots | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Cold Spray |
| Dr Jack | Tri Shield | Bone Whistle | Left Handed | Red Helmet | Bright Flash |
| Hunter Hank | Ptero Glider | Amber Lens | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Cold Spray |
| Dino Dan | Stego Armor | Amber Lens | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Cold Spray |
| Rex Tracker | T Rex Strength | Rock Pick | Right Handed | Red Helmet | Bright Flash |
| Ellie Sattler | Ptero Glider | Rock Pick | Left Handed | Green Visor | Cold Spray |
Clue 1
Multiplication facts (1-12)
We need to count how many dinosaur footprints were found near the campsite.
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
100
66
10
60
66
7
8
99
T
72
100
15
66
1
4
15
4
60
54
T
72
70
10
66
7
30
54
60
66
64
100
15
10
T
72
84
66
9 × 8 =T
3 × 10 =B
9 × 11 =Y
7 × 10 =U
9 × 6 =O
10 × 10 =H
11 × 6 =E
5 × 12 =N
2 × 2 =D
5 × 2 =S
8 × 8 =W
8 × 1 =K
1 × 7 =A
1 × 1 =F
7 × 12 =L
5 × 3 =I
0/16 letters found
Clue 2
Skip counting
To track the thief we follow the glowing trail markers spaced along the ridge.
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
130
33
15
25
55
6
39
39
39
A
130
33
A
130
22
15
16
27
25
27
A
130
55
24
6
24
39
35
140
80
25
21
6
A
130
90
6
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150A
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110V
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35T
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26R
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10E
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65N
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20G
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25I
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45S
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39W
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, ___, 27, 30D
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45C
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27L
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160O
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100U
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33H
0/16 letters found
Clue 3
Fractions of a number
The paleontology team checked a fraction of the missing fossil crates.
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
21
27
26
T
21
27
13
26
38
32
37
14
14
T
21
24
29
29
26
16
10
6
18
24
25
16
14
29
3
37
6
3/6 of 42 =T
1/4 of 40 =B
1/2 of 28 =S
2/8 of 64 =D
3/6 of 12 =Y
2/4 of 74 =A
5/10 of 6 =R
2/3 of 57 =F
2/6 of 75 =L
1/2 of 36 =C
2/4 of 58 =P
3/8 of 72 =H
2/8 of 96 =O
2/4 of 26 =I
2/4 of 52 =E
1/2 of 64 =W
0/16 letters found
Clue 4
Rounding
The digital radar scanner shows an estimate rounded to the nearest ten.
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
500
300
30
T
500
300
170
30
20
700
3000
110
1300
1300
30
700
2000
3700
4300
1700
30
50
2000
1300
430
30
2000
3000
T
500
3000
2000
170
4300
Round 526 to the nearest hundredT
Round 3,676 to the nearest hundredB
Round 271 to the nearest hundredH
Round 173 to the nearest tenI
Round 31 to the nearest tenE
Round 1,979 to the nearest thousandA
Round 429 to the nearest tenN
Round 112 to the nearest tenO
Round 2,942 to the nearest thousandR
Round 1,661 to the nearest hundredU
Round 1,330 to the nearest hundredP
Round 675 to the nearest hundredD
Round 16 to the nearest tenF
Round 4,340 to the nearest hundredL
Round 48 to the nearest tenC
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
We divide the search grid equally among all the camp rangers.
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
90 ÷ 9 = ?
60 ÷ 12 = ?
11 ÷ 1 = ?
80 ÷ 10 = ?
12 ÷ 1 = ?
90 ÷ 10 = ?
6 ÷ 3 = ?
12 ÷ 3 = ?
30 ÷ 5 = ?
12 ÷ 4 = ?
11 ÷ 11 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain blocked the path with stego armor, then marched through mud in mud boots.
2.The villain dashed away using raptor speed, then spotted clues through an amber lens.
3.The villain defended the camp with a tri shield, then chipped rock with a rock pick.
4.The villain defended the camp with a tri shield, then checked the ground with a fossil scanner.
5.The villain smashed the gate with t rex strength, then marched through mud in mud boots.
6.The villain smashed the gate with t rex strength, then chipped rock with a rock pick.
7.The villain blocked the path with stego armor, then spotted clues through an amber lens.
8.The villain flew off on a ptero glider, then marched through mud in mud boots.
9.The villain defended the camp with a tri shield, then spotted clues through an amber lens.
10.The villain flew off on a ptero glider, then spotted clues through an amber lens.
11.The villain dashed away using raptor speed, then checked the ground with a fossil scanner.
12.The villain dashed away using raptor speed, then blew hard into a bone whistle.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Mesozoic Valley Fossil Mystery
Culprit: Dino Dan (Stego Armor · Amber Lens · Right Handed · Blue Cap · Cold Spray)
- Clue 1 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE SNEAKY THIEF DID NOT USE A BONE WHISTLE"9 × 8 = 72 (T) · 3 × 10 = 30 (B) · 9 × 11 = 99 (Y) · 7 × 10 = 70 (U) · 9 × 6 = 54 (O) · 10 × 10 = 100 (H) · 11 × 6 = 66 (E) · 5 × 12 = 60 (N) · 2 × 2 = 4 (D) · 5 × 2 = 10 (S) · 8 × 8 = 64 (W) · 8 × 1 = 8 (K) · 1 × 7 = 7 (A) · 1 × 1 = 1 (F) · 7 × 12 = 84 (L) · 5 × 3 = 15 (I)
- Clue 2 (Skip counting): "A WITNESS SAW A RIGHT HANDED SCOUT LEAVE"Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (A) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110 = 90 (V) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (T) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26 = 22 (R) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (E) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65 = 55 (N) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (G) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25 = 15 (I) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45 = 39 (S) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (W) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, ___, 27, 30 = 24 (D) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (C) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (L) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160 = 140 (O) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100 = 80 (U) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33 = 27 (H)
- Clue 3 (Fractions of a number): "THE THIEF WAS STOPPED BY COLD SPRAY"3/6 of 42 = 21 (T) · 1/4 of 40 = 10 (B) · 1/2 of 28 = 14 (S) · 2/8 of 64 = 16 (D) · 3/6 of 12 = 6 (Y) · 2/4 of 74 = 37 (A) · 5/10 of 6 = 3 (R) · 2/3 of 57 = 38 (F) · 2/6 of 75 = 25 (L) · 1/2 of 36 = 18 (C) · 2/4 of 58 = 29 (P) · 3/8 of 72 = 27 (H) · 2/8 of 96 = 24 (O) · 2/4 of 26 = 13 (I) · 2/4 of 52 = 26 (E) · 1/2 of 64 = 32 (W)
- Clue 4 (Rounding): "THE THIEF DROPPED A BLUE CAP NEAR TRAIL"Round 526 to the nearest hundred = 500 (T) · Round 3,676 to the nearest hundred = 3700 (B) · Round 271 to the nearest hundred = 300 (H) · Round 173 to the nearest ten = 170 (I) · Round 31 to the nearest ten = 30 (E) · Round 1,979 to the nearest thousand = 2000 (A) · Round 429 to the nearest ten = 430 (N) · Round 112 to the nearest ten = 110 (O) · Round 2,942 to the nearest thousand = 3000 (R) · Round 1,661 to the nearest hundred = 1700 (U) · Round 1,330 to the nearest hundred = 1300 (P) · Round 675 to the nearest hundred = 700 (D) · Round 16 to the nearest ten = 20 (F) · Round 4,340 to the nearest hundred = 4300 (L) · Round 48 to the nearest ten = 50 (C)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 7) → Dino Dan90 ÷ 9 = 10 · 60 ÷ 12 = 5 · 11 ÷ 1 = 11 · 80 ÷ 10 = 8 · 12 ÷ 1 = 12 · 90 ÷ 10 = 9 · 6 ÷ 3 = 2 · 12 ÷ 3 = 4 · 30 ÷ 5 = 6 · 12 ÷ 4 = 3 · 11 ÷ 11 = 1
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 4 math
- Math topics
- Multiplication, Skip counting, Fractions of a number, Rounding, Division
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Mesozoic Valley Fossil Mystery — set in Mesozoic Valley Dig Site
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects