Grade 4Reading: grades 3-4AdditionSkip countingWord problemsRoundingDivision
The Mystery of the Lost Golden Compass
When Chief Explorer Maya lost her golden compass deep in Echo Island, five clues were left behind in the mud and vines. Solve the math puzzles to crack the secret codes and find out who snatched the compass!
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 | Gear Used | Secret Tool | Stance | Bandana Color | Fear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah Trail | Brass Whistle | Binoculars | Right Handed | Sunburst Yellow | Wild Bees |
| Leo Rover | Rope Ladder | Smoke Bomb | Right Handed | Forest Green | Loud Thunder |
| Owen Cove | Rope Ladder | Smoke Bomb | Left Handed | Crimson Red | Dark Caves |
| Sam Finder | Grappling Hook | Binoculars | Left Handed | Crimson Red | Wild Bees |
| Ava Vine | Brass Whistle | Smoke Bomb | Right Handed | Forest Green | Wild Bees |
| Hugo Wild | Rope Ladder | Pocket Magnet | Right Handed | Crimson Red | Dark Caves |
| Eli Tracker | Jungle Machete | Glider Pack | Left Handed | Sunburst Yellow | Wild Bees |
| Nora Moss | Jungle Machete | Glider Pack | Left Handed | Forest Green | Wild Bees |
| Jack Ridge | Torch Light | Signal Flare | Left Handed | Forest Green | Wild Bees |
| Mia Scout | Rope Ladder | Binoculars | Right Handed | Sunburst Yellow | Wild Bees |
| Maya Peak | Jungle Machete | Binoculars | Left Handed | Sunburst Yellow | Dark Caves |
| Cole Flint | Jungle Machete | Signal Flare | Left Handed | Crimson Red | Wild Bees |
| Zack Woods | Grappling Hook | Pocket Magnet | Right Handed | Forest Green | Dark Caves |
| Sora Swift | Jungle Machete | Binoculars | Right Handed | Sunburst Yellow | Loud Thunder |
| Lily Marsh | Grappling Hook | Smoke Bomb | Left Handed | Forest Green | Wild Bees |
| Finn River | Brass Whistle | Pocket Magnet | Left Handed | Forest Green | Wild Bees |
| Toby Dune | Rope Ladder | Glider Pack | Left Handed | Forest Green | Wild Bees |
| Ruby Cliff | Rope Ladder | Binoculars | Left Handed | Forest Green | Loud Thunder |
| Ivy Path | Rope Ladder | Smoke Bomb | Left Handed | Sunburst Yellow | Dark Caves |
| Cleo Palm | Jungle Machete | Signal Flare | Right Handed | Sunburst Yellow | Loud Thunder |
| Luke Stone | Torch Light | Smoke Bomb | Right Handed | Forest Green | Wild Bees |
Clue 1
Addition
We gathered all the lost supply crates along the riverbank and added up our gear total.
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
5695
6394
9422
3122
2115
5839
5839
8751
2115
9377
8781
2115
8781
9377
8129
T
5695
9416
5592
9422
8751
5592
2115
4456
9377
8751
5839
4919
5839
8751
3267
9422
3170 + 2525 =T
3358 + 1561 =F
2905 + 2934 =L
3793 + 2601 =H
3383 + 5994 =N
3750 + 1842 =S
1247 + 2020 =R
2447 + 2009 =G
1087 + 2035 =V
5384 + 3397 =D
3791 + 5631 =E
3624 + 5127 =A
6241 + 3175 =U
3990 + 4139 =O
1475 + 640 =I
0/15 letters found
Clue 2
Skip counting
We counted steps along the stone path by skipping equal numbers of jungle tiles.
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
30
20
60
22
110
28
28
28
24
W
30
24
120
110
80
60
21
24
22
9
110
9
140
55
20
42
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ___, 35, 40W
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, ___, 25, 30I
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65R
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15D
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27H
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160G
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48P
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100F
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32S
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, ___, 130, 140L
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26N
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, ___, 27, 30A
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130E
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ___, 70, 80T
0/14 letters found
Clue 3
Word problems
The camp log kept track of every scout gear item and total miles hiked on the expedition.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith.
W
20
47
23
59
57
35
35
41
Scout Leader Sam found 14 trail map yesterday and 6 more today. How many trail map in all?W
There were 64 pith helmet. 7 were used up. How many pith helmet are left?B
Scout Leader Sam found 11 canteen yesterday and 48 more today. How many canteen in all?D
Scout Leader Sam found 16 rope bundle yesterday and 25 more today. How many rope bundle in all?S
There were 76 rope bundle. 29 were used up. How many rope bundle are left?I
There were 66 compass case. 31 were used up. How many compass case are left?E
There were 28 canteen. 5 were used up. How many canteen are left?L
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Rounding
Our radio scanner was fuzzy and only showed rounded numbers for the trek distance.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
G
7000
20
5000
5000
370
50
230
170
20
4300
430
2900
230
70
430
230
900
G
7000
3700
1700
4300
370
230
170
900
70
3700
Round 7,242 to the nearest thousandG
Round 434 to the nearest tenC
Round 3,680 to the nearest hundredH
Round 4,321 to the nearest hundredI
Round 2,921 to the nearest hundredW
Round 17 to the nearest tenR
Round 174 to the nearest tenB
Round 371 to the nearest tenN
Round 852 to the nearest hundredU
Round 1,671 to the nearest hundredT
Round 233 to the nearest tenA
Round 73 to the nearest tenS
Round 53 to the nearest tenF
Round 4,708 to the nearest thousandE
0/14 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
We divided our trail snacks equally into packs for the search teams before heading out.
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
120 ÷ 12 = ?
77 ÷ 11 = ?
24 ÷ 4 = ?
144 ÷ 12 = ?
16 ÷ 2 = ?
16 ÷ 8 = ?
30 ÷ 10 = ?
9 ÷ 1 = ?
48 ÷ 12 = ?
12 ÷ 12 = ?
30 ÷ 6 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain climbed up the cliff with a rope ladder, then vanished behind a smoke bomb.
2.The villain lit up the dark tunnel with a torch light, then scouted ahead with binoculars.
3.The villain blew a sharp warning with a brass whistle, then scouted ahead with binoculars.
4.The villain blew a sharp warning with a brass whistle, then fled using a glider pack.
5.The villain lit up the dark tunnel with a torch light, then vanished behind a smoke bomb.
6.The villain blew a sharp warning with a brass whistle, then pulled the key with a pocket magnet.
7.The villain climbed up the cliff with a rope ladder, then fled using a glider pack.
8.The villain lit up the dark tunnel with a torch light, then launched a bright signal flare.
9.The villain chopped through vines with a jungle machete, then launched a bright signal flare.
10.The villain chopped through vines with a jungle machete, then fled using a glider pack.
11.The villain swung across the ravine with a grappling hook, then vanished behind a smoke bomb.
12.The villain chopped through vines with a jungle machete, then pulled the key with a pocket magnet.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Mystery of the Lost Golden Compass
Culprit: Lily Marsh (Grappling Hook · Smoke Bomb · Left Handed · Forest Green · Wild Bees)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE VILLAIN DID NOT USE A SIGNAL FLARE"3170 + 2525 = 5695 (T) · 3358 + 1561 = 4919 (F) · 2905 + 2934 = 5839 (L) · 3793 + 2601 = 6394 (H) · 3383 + 5994 = 9377 (N) · 3750 + 1842 = 5592 (S) · 1247 + 2020 = 3267 (R) · 2447 + 2009 = 4456 (G) · 1087 + 2035 = 3122 (V) · 5384 + 3397 = 8781 (D) · 3791 + 5631 = 9422 (E) · 3624 + 5127 = 8751 (A) · 6241 + 3175 = 9416 (U) · 3990 + 4139 = 8129 (O) · 1475 + 640 = 2115 (I)
- Clue 2 (Skip counting): "WITNESS SAW A LEFT HANDED GRIP"Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ___, 35, 40 = 30 (W) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, ___, 25, 30 = 20 (I) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65 = 55 (R) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15 = 9 (D) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (H) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160 = 140 (G) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48 = 42 (P) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100 = 80 (F) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (S) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, ___, 130, 140 = 120 (L) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26 = 22 (N) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, ___, 27, 30 = 24 (A) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130 = 110 (E) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ___, 70, 80 = 60 (T)
- Clue 3 (Word problems): "WILD BEES"Scout Leader Sam found 14 trail map yesterday and 6 more today. How many trail map in all? = 20 (W) · There were 64 pith helmet. 7 were used up. How many pith helmet are left? = 57 (B) · Scout Leader Sam found 11 canteen yesterday and 48 more today. How many canteen in all? = 59 (D) · Scout Leader Sam found 16 rope bundle yesterday and 25 more today. How many rope bundle in all? = 41 (S) · There were 76 rope bundle. 29 were used up. How many rope bundle are left? = 47 (I) · There were 66 compass case. 31 were used up. How many compass case are left? = 35 (E) · There were 28 canteen. 5 were used up. How many canteen are left? = 23 (L)
- Clue 4 (Rounding): "GREEN FABRIC WAS CAUGHT IN A BUSH"Round 7,242 to the nearest thousand = 7000 (G) · Round 434 to the nearest ten = 430 (C) · Round 3,680 to the nearest hundred = 3700 (H) · Round 4,321 to the nearest hundred = 4300 (I) · Round 2,921 to the nearest hundred = 2900 (W) · Round 17 to the nearest ten = 20 (R) · Round 174 to the nearest ten = 170 (B) · Round 371 to the nearest ten = 370 (N) · Round 852 to the nearest hundred = 900 (U) · Round 1,671 to the nearest hundred = 1700 (T) · Round 233 to the nearest ten = 230 (A) · Round 73 to the nearest ten = 70 (S) · Round 53 to the nearest ten = 50 (F) · Round 4,708 to the nearest thousand = 5000 (E)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 11) → Lily Marsh120 ÷ 12 = 10 · 77 ÷ 11 = 7 · 24 ÷ 4 = 6 · 144 ÷ 12 = 12 · 16 ÷ 2 = 8 · 16 ÷ 8 = 2 · 30 ÷ 10 = 3 · 9 ÷ 1 = 9 · 48 ÷ 12 = 4 · 12 ÷ 12 = 1 · 30 ÷ 6 = 5
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 4 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Skip counting, Word problems, Rounding, Division
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Mystery of the Lost Golden Compass — set in Echo Island Jungle
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects