🏀 Basketball equipmentGrade 5Reading: grades 5-6Place valueMultiplicationRoundingFractions of a numberDivision
The Mystery of the Missing Championship Hoops
Right before the final whistle of the championship tournament, someone snuck into the arena equipment vault and made off with the golden game ball! The detective team must examine the court clues, analyze the missing items, and figure out which legendary player turned into the Gear Bandit.
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 | Signature Gear | Backup Tool | Shooting Hand | Lace Color | Defensive Flaw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiney Ogwumike | Grip Gel Sneaker | Chalk Bag | Left Handed Shooter | Bright Green Laces | Slippery Floor |
| Jewell Loyd | Grip Gel Sneaker | Water Bottle | Left Handed Shooter | Electric Blue Laces | Squeaky Shoes |
| Aja Wilson | Heavy Duty Net | Towel Ring | Left Handed Shooter | Electric Blue Laces | Slippery Floor |
| Kelsey Plum | Grip Gel Sneaker | Pump Needle | Left Handed Shooter | Bright Green Laces | Slippery Floor |
| Tamika Catchings | High Bounce Ball | Whistle Lanyard | Right Handed Shooter | Bright Green Laces | Squeaky Shoes |
| Sabrina Ionescu | High Bounce Ball | Water Bottle | Right Handed Shooter | Bright Green Laces | Loose Rim |
| Chelsea Gray | Grip Gel Sneaker | Towel Ring | Right Handed Shooter | Bright Green Laces | Loose Rim |
| Sheryl Swoopes | Padded Wristband | Water Bottle | Left Handed Shooter | Bright Green Laces | Slippery Floor |
| Tina Charles | High Bounce Ball | Chalk Bag | Right Handed Shooter | Electric Blue Laces | Squeaky Shoes |
| Jonquel Jones | Heavy Duty Net | Water Bottle | Left Handed Shooter | Neon Orange Laces | Loose Rim |
| Candace Parker | Grip Tape Roll | Towel Ring | Left Handed Shooter | Electric Blue Laces | Loose Rim |
| Diana Taurasi | High Bounce Ball | Whistle Lanyard | Right Handed Shooter | Electric Blue Laces | Squeaky Shoes |
| Napheesa Collier | Padded Wristband | Water Bottle | Right Handed Shooter | Electric Blue Laces | Loose Rim |
| Sylvia Fowles | Padded Wristband | Whistle Lanyard | Left Handed Shooter | Bright Green Laces | Slippery Floor |
| Breanna Stewart | Padded Wristband | Chalk Bag | Left Handed Shooter | Neon Orange Laces | Squeaky Shoes |
| Elena Delle Donne | High Bounce Ball | Whistle Lanyard | Right Handed Shooter | Bright Green Laces | Slippery Floor |
| Brittney Griner | High Bounce Ball | Pump Needle | Left Handed Shooter | Bright Green Laces | Squeaky Shoes |
| Lisa Leslie | Grip Gel Sneaker | Water Bottle | Left Handed Shooter | Bright Green Laces | Slippery Floor |
| Sue Bird | Heavy Duty Net | Whistle Lanyard | Left Handed Shooter | Electric Blue Laces | Squeaky Shoes |
| Arike Ogunbowale | Grip Gel Sneaker | Pump Needle | Left Handed Shooter | Electric Blue Laces | Slippery Floor |
| Alyssa Thomas | Grip Gel Sneaker | Chalk Bag | Left Handed Shooter | Electric Blue Laces | Loose Rim |
Clue 1
Place value
The security terminal required analyzing the digit positions on the equipment locker lock.
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
300
400
500
3000
500
50
400
80
T
900
800
9000
400
500
200
9000
T
900
80
700
20
20
2000
700
80
300
700
7000
600
5000
700
100
What is the value of the 9 in 71,953?T
What is the value of the 2 in 602,078?Y
What is the value of the 3 in 480,350?H
What is the value of the 3 in 293,088?U
What is the value of the 6 in 543,617?K
What is the value of the 1 in 982,100?G
What is the value of the 2 in 13,523?R
What is the value of the 8 in 322,584?C
What is the value of the 5 in 378,574?S
What is the value of the 7 in 229,759?A
What is the value of the 7 in 57,124?L
What is the value of the 2 in 30,251?N
What is the value of the 9 in 19,014?O
What is the value of the 5 in 95,397?B
What is the value of the 5 in 47,852?P
What is the value of the 4 in 11,478?E
What is the value of the 8 in 940,866?D
0/17 letters found
Clue 2
Multiplication facts (1-12)
Analyzing the rack arrangement required multiplying rows of basketball gear to find total stock.
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
9
2
1
120
30
120
64
1
100
T
9
12
99
120
99
36
1
3
T
9
2
99
88
6
1
6
120
2
81
81
T
9
1
121
9 × 1 =T
3 × 1 =F
2 × 1 =H
9 × 9 =O
1 × 1 =E
12 × 3 =L
8 × 11 =N
8 × 8 =P
11 × 9 =A
2 × 3 =D
11 × 11 =R
2 × 6 =W
10 × 10 =C
5 × 6 =U
10 × 12 =S
0/15 letters found
Clue 3
Rounding
The digital scoreboard clock rounded off the exact seconds of the locker room intrusion.
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
9000
2900
290
900
300
300
90
70
110
4300
290
5000
5000
70
2900
290
5000
200
90
50
1100
2000
90
2900
3000
2900
300
90
30
1100
50
5000
200
370
Round 9,340 to the nearest thousandA
Round 923 to the nearest hundredI
Round 2,356 to the nearest thousandH
Round 292 to the nearest tenL
Round 326 to the nearest hundredP
Round 4,345 to the nearest hundredF
Round 70 to the nearest tenR
Round 2,955 to the nearest thousandU
Round 2,889 to the nearest hundredS
Round 30 to the nearest tenC
Round 4,678 to the nearest thousandO
Round 94 to the nearest tenE
Round 111 to the nearest tenY
Round 176 to the nearest hundredW
Round 49 to the nearest tenD
Round 373 to the nearest tenN
Round 1,102 to the nearest hundredT
0/17 letters found
Clue 4
Fractions of a number
The equipment audit required finding fractions of the total inventory logged before halftime.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
B
22
7
11
17
6
39
17
7
16
16
30
33
20
2
16
4
23
16
7
16
33
16
26
39
32
30
20
33
32
2
21
16
7
4/8 of 44 =B
5/10 of 8 =S
5/10 of 46 =W
4/5 of 40 =O
1/6 of 36 =H
4/10 of 40 =E
2/8 of 104 =F
1/6 of 66 =I
3/8 of 80 =N
4/5 of 25 =A
1/8 of 16 =C
2/6 of 51 =G
1/2 of 78 =T
1/4 of 28 =R
2/8 of 84 =K
3/4 of 44 =L
0/16 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
Splitting the remaining practice jerseys equally among training stations yielded a key clue.
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
40 ÷ 4 = ?
3 ÷ 1 = ?
12 ÷ 3 = ?
16 ÷ 8 = ?
72 ÷ 12 = ?
81 ÷ 9 = ?
120 ÷ 10 = ?
35 ÷ 5 = ?
44 ÷ 4 = ?
12 ÷ 12 = ?
32 ÷ 4 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain wrapped the door handles with a grip tape roll, then dusted the lockers with a chalk bag.
2.The villain escaped the arena on a high bounce ball, then snagged the key with a towel ring.
3.The villain swiped the trophy with a grip gel sneaker, then jammed the lock using a pump needle.
4.The villain swiped the trophy with a grip gel sneaker, then spilled liquid from a water bottle.
5.The villain battered the lock with a padded wristband, then blew a sharp whistle lanyard.
6.The villain wrapped the door handles with a grip tape roll, then snagged the key with a towel ring.
7.The villain swiped the trophy with a grip gel sneaker, then snagged the key with a towel ring.
8.The villain trapped the guard in a heavy duty net, then blew a sharp whistle lanyard.
9.The villain wrapped the door handles with a grip tape roll, then blew a sharp whistle lanyard.
10.The villain battered the lock with a padded wristband, then spilled liquid from a water bottle.
11.The villain battered the lock with a padded wristband, then jammed the lock using a pump needle.
12.The villain battered the lock with a padded wristband, then snagged the key with a towel ring.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Mystery of the Missing Championship Hoops
Culprit: Sylvia Fowles (Padded Wristband · Whistle Lanyard · Left Handed Shooter · Bright Green Laces · Slippery Floor)
- Clue 1 (Place value): "THE SUSPECT DOES NOT CARRY A CHALK BAG"What is the value of the 9 in 71,953? = 900 (T) · What is the value of the 2 in 602,078? = 2000 (Y) · What is the value of the 3 in 480,350? = 300 (H) · What is the value of the 3 in 293,088? = 3000 (U) · What is the value of the 6 in 543,617? = 600 (K) · What is the value of the 1 in 982,100? = 100 (G) · What is the value of the 2 in 13,523? = 20 (R) · What is the value of the 8 in 322,584? = 80 (C) · What is the value of the 5 in 378,574? = 500 (S) · What is the value of the 7 in 229,759? = 700 (A) · What is the value of the 7 in 57,124? = 7000 (L) · What is the value of the 2 in 30,251? = 200 (N) · What is the value of the 9 in 19,014? = 9000 (O) · What is the value of the 5 in 95,397? = 5000 (B) · What is the value of the 5 in 47,852? = 50 (P) · What is the value of the 4 in 11,478? = 400 (E) · What is the value of the 8 in 940,866? = 800 (D)
- Clue 2 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE SUSPECT WAS A LEFT HANDED SHOOTER"9 × 1 = 9 (T) · 3 × 1 = 3 (F) · 2 × 1 = 2 (H) · 9 × 9 = 81 (O) · 1 × 1 = 1 (E) · 12 × 3 = 36 (L) · 8 × 11 = 88 (N) · 8 × 8 = 64 (P) · 11 × 9 = 99 (A) · 2 × 3 = 6 (D) · 11 × 11 = 121 (R) · 2 × 6 = 12 (W) · 10 × 10 = 100 (C) · 5 × 6 = 30 (U) · 10 × 12 = 120 (S)
- Clue 3 (Rounding): "A SLIPPERY FLOOR SLOWED THE SUSPECT DOWN"Round 9,340 to the nearest thousand = 9000 (A) · Round 923 to the nearest hundred = 900 (I) · Round 2,356 to the nearest thousand = 2000 (H) · Round 292 to the nearest ten = 290 (L) · Round 326 to the nearest hundred = 300 (P) · Round 4,345 to the nearest hundred = 4300 (F) · Round 70 to the nearest ten = 70 (R) · Round 2,955 to the nearest thousand = 3000 (U) · Round 2,889 to the nearest hundred = 2900 (S) · Round 30 to the nearest ten = 30 (C) · Round 4,678 to the nearest thousand = 5000 (O) · Round 94 to the nearest ten = 90 (E) · Round 111 to the nearest ten = 110 (Y) · Round 176 to the nearest hundred = 200 (W) · Round 49 to the nearest ten = 50 (D) · Round 373 to the nearest ten = 370 (N) · Round 1,102 to the nearest hundred = 1100 (T)
- Clue 4 (Fractions of a number): "BRIGHT GREEN LACES WERE LEFT ON A LOCKER"4/8 of 44 = 22 (B) · 5/10 of 8 = 4 (S) · 5/10 of 46 = 23 (W) · 4/5 of 40 = 32 (O) · 1/6 of 36 = 6 (H) · 4/10 of 40 = 16 (E) · 2/8 of 104 = 26 (F) · 1/6 of 66 = 11 (I) · 3/8 of 80 = 30 (N) · 4/5 of 25 = 20 (A) · 1/8 of 16 = 2 (C) · 2/6 of 51 = 17 (G) · 1/2 of 78 = 39 (T) · 1/4 of 28 = 7 (R) · 2/8 of 84 = 21 (K) · 3/4 of 44 = 33 (L)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 5) → Sylvia Fowles40 ÷ 4 = 10 · 3 ÷ 1 = 3 · 12 ÷ 3 = 4 · 16 ÷ 8 = 2 · 72 ÷ 12 = 6 · 81 ÷ 9 = 9 · 120 ÷ 10 = 12 · 35 ÷ 5 = 7 · 44 ÷ 4 = 11 · 12 ÷ 12 = 1 · 32 ÷ 4 = 8
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 5 math
- Math topics
- Place value, Multiplication, Rounding, Fractions of a number, Division
- Reading level
- grades 5-6
- Theme
- The Mystery of the Missing Championship Hoops — set in The Hardwood Arena Equipment Depot
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects