🚀 SpaceGrade 5Reading: grades 5-6Fractions of a numberBar modelsMulti-step word problemsWord problems
The Starlight Station Sabotage
Deep in orbit aboard Starlight Orbital Station, someone tampered with the main energy vault and scrambled the station navigation grid! Station Commander Ray Vance needs your sharp detective skills to analyze logs, cross-reference suit gear, and catch the rogue crew member before the station drifts off course.
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 Tool | Secondary Tool | Dominant Hand | Visor Color | Countermeasure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commander Vance | Tractor Beam | Jetpack Module | Left handed | Cobalt visor | Magnetic Lock |
| Pilot Yuri | Laser Cutter | Cyber Scanner | Left handed | Silver visor | EMP Blast |
| Specialist Christina | Gravity Boots | Stealth Cloak | Left handed | Silver visor | Magnetic Lock |
| Cadet Astra | Plasma Torch | Stealth Cloak | Right handed | Gold visor | EMP Blast |
| Dr Peggy | Tractor Beam | Shield Emitter | Left handed | Gold visor | Laser Grid |
| Specialist Halley | Gravity Boots | Jetpack Module | Right handed | Cobalt visor | EMP Blast |
| Officer Sally | Plasma Torch | Cyber Scanner | Right handed | Gold visor | Magnetic Lock |
| Tech Sagan | Gravity Boots | Cyber Scanner | Left handed | Silver visor | Magnetic Lock |
| Pilot Nova | Laser Cutter | Hologram Chip | Right handed | Gold visor | EMP Blast |
| Engineer Scott | Tractor Beam | Hologram Chip | Left handed | Silver visor | Magnetic Lock |
| Specialist Michael | Laser Cutter | Stealth Cloak | Right handed | Silver visor | EMP Blast |
| Commander Chris | Tractor Beam | Hologram Chip | Right handed | Cobalt visor | EMP Blast |
| Pilot Sunita | Plasma Torch | Shield Emitter | Left handed | Silver visor | Laser Grid |
| Engineer Valentina | Tractor Beam | Jetpack Module | Left handed | Silver visor | Magnetic Lock |
| Cadet Victor | Gravity Boots | Cyber Scanner | Right handed | Gold visor | EMP Blast |
| Dr Neil | Sonic Screwdriver | Jetpack Module | Right handed | Silver visor | Magnetic Lock |
| Dr Ellen | Laser Cutter | Jetpack Module | Left handed | Silver visor | Magnetic Lock |
| Cadet Buzz | Tractor Beam | Stealth Cloak | Left handed | Silver visor | Laser Grid |
| Tech Guion | Laser Cutter | Jetpack Module | Right handed | Cobalt visor | Magnetic Lock |
| Astronaut Mae | Gravity Boots | Cyber Scanner | Left handed | Cobalt visor | Laser Grid |
| Captain Orion | Laser Cutter | Hologram Chip | Right handed | Silver visor | Magnetic Lock |
Clue 1
Fractions of a number
To decode the first encrypted transmission from the sabotage site, solve these supply log word problems.
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
28
29
7
35
16
26
32
T
28
7
19
31
23
18
23
2
32
T
28
19
35
7
16
35
T
28
7
16
13
T
28
29
38
13
32
16
27
4/5 of 35 =T
3/5 of 45 =K
1/5 of 160 =O
1/5 of 130 =B
1/4 of 72 =I
1/2 of 46 =D
2/4 of 76 =C
7/10 of 50 =S
2/10 of 155 =R
2/10 of 145 =H
1/6 of 42 =E
2/4 of 38 =U
4/6 of 24 =A
1/10 of 130 =L
2/3 of 3 =N
0/15 letters found
Clue 2
Bar model word problems
Compare the energy readings across station sectors on the bar model to unlock the second scrap of evidence.
Draw a bar model to solve each word problem. Its answer reveals a letter — write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
L
60
142
85
123
104
48
25
D
142
D
Cadet used 2/3 of the oxygen canisters on the first day. The other 20 oxygen canisters were used the next day. How many oxygen canisters were there in all?
draw a bar model
Answer:→L
Cadet has 5 times as many data drives as a teammate. The teammate has 5 data drives. How many data drives does cadet have?
draw a bar model
Answer:→N
Cadet used 1/3 of the solar batteries on the first day. The other 82 solar batteries were used the next day. How many solar batteries were there in all?
draw a bar model
Answer:→T
There were 112 oxygen canisters in all. 8 oxygen canisters were used. How many oxygen canisters are left?
draw a bar model
Answer:→H
Cadet has 144 meteorite samples, packed 3 to a bag. How many bags can be filled?
draw a bar model
Answer:→A
Cadet used 1/2 of the coolant cells on the first day. The other 71 coolant cells were used the next day. How many coolant cells were there in all?
draw a bar model
Answer:→E
The red team has 114 solar batteries and the blue team has 29 solar batteries. How many more solar batteries does the red team have?
draw a bar model
Answer:→F
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Multi-step word problems
Work through these multi-step flight calculations to clear up the orbital telemetry logs.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith .
M
22
62
14
47
66
51
58
C
L
O
C
K
Cadet collected 115 oxygen canisters in the morning and 17 oxygen canisters in the afternoon, then split them equally among 6 Starlight Station crew. How many oxygen canisters did each get?M
There were 395 meteorite samples in all. 4 Starlight Station crew used 40 meteorite samples each. The other 5 Starlight Station crew shared the rest equally. How many meteorite samples did each of the other Starlight Station crew get?N
There were 153 meteorite samples in all. 1 Starlight Station crew used 21 meteorite samples each. The other 2 Starlight Station crew shared the rest equally. How many meteorite samples did each of the other Starlight Station crew get?E
There were 172 meteorite samples in all. 2 Starlight Station crew used 24 meteorite samples each. The other 2 Starlight Station crew shared the rest equally. How many meteorite samples did each of the other Starlight Station crew get?A
Cadet filled 3 boxes with 3 meteorite samples each, then found 49 more meteorite samples. How many meteorite samples are there in all?I
Cadet collected 195 data drives in the morning and 9 data drives in the afternoon, then split them equally among 4 Starlight Station crew. How many data drives did each get?T
Cadet collected 19 oxygen canisters in the morning and 23 oxygen canisters in the afternoon, then split them equally among 3 Starlight Station crew. How many oxygen canisters did each get?G
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Word problems
Calculate the exact fractions of power restored to the main array to unmask the next clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Astrandofhairturnedupatthescene.
S
13
73
24
48
8
43
48
73
S
13
25
43
Cadet found 6 coolant cells yesterday and 7 more today. How many coolant cells in all?S
Cadet found 8 coolant cells yesterday and 40 more today. How many coolant cells in all?V
Cadet found 7 oxygen canisters yesterday and 18 more today. How many oxygen canisters in all?O
Cadet found 14 solar batteries yesterday and 10 more today. How many solar batteries in all?L
Cadet found 2 coolant cells yesterday and 6 more today. How many coolant cells in all?E
There were 74 meteorite samples. 31 were used up. How many meteorite samples are left?R
There were 106 oxygen canisters. 33 were used up. How many oxygen canisters are left?I
0/7 letters found
Clue 5
Fractions of a number — the last clue
Determine the final fractions of life support reserves to decrypt the last piece of suit data.
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
2/8 of 4 = ?
1/2 of 24 = ?
4/10 of 5 = ?
1/6 of 66 = ?
2/4 of 12 = ?
1/10 of 70 = ?
1/2 of 6 = ?
3/10 of 30 = ?
4/8 of 10 = ?
1/8 of 32 = ?
1/3 of 30 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain activated the heavy gravity boots, then downloaded station schematics with a cyber scanner.
2.The villain towed supply crates using a tractor beam, then projected a decoy with a hologram chip.
3.The villain overrode console locks with a sonic screwdriver, then blocked retaliatory blasts with a shield emitter.
4.The villain towed supply crates using a tractor beam, then slipped past sensors with a stealth cloak.
5.The villain overrode console locks with a sonic screwdriver, then downloaded station schematics with a cyber scanner.
6.The villain fired up the hot plasma torch, then downloaded station schematics with a cyber scanner.
7.The villain fired up the hot plasma torch, then slipped past sensors with a stealth cloak.
8.The villain sliced through conduits with a laser cutter, then zipped away using a jetpack module.
9.The villain towed supply crates using a tractor beam, then downloaded station schematics with a cyber scanner.
10.The villain sliced through conduits with a laser cutter, then blocked retaliatory blasts with a shield emitter.
11.The villain activated the heavy gravity boots, then projected a decoy with a hologram chip.
12.The villain towed supply crates using a tractor beam, then zipped away using a jetpack module.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Starlight Station Sabotage
Culprit: Dr Ellen (Laser Cutter · Jetpack Module · Left handed · Silver visor · Magnetic Lock)
- Clue 1 (Fractions of a number): "THE SABOTEUR DID NOT USE A STEALTH CLOAK"4/5 of 35 = 28 (T) · 3/5 of 45 = 27 (K) · 1/5 of 160 = 32 (O) · 1/5 of 130 = 26 (B) · 1/4 of 72 = 18 (I) · 1/2 of 46 = 23 (D) · 2/4 of 76 = 38 (C) · 7/10 of 50 = 35 (S) · 2/10 of 155 = 31 (R) · 2/10 of 145 = 29 (H) · 1/6 of 42 = 7 (E) · 2/4 of 38 = 19 (U) · 4/6 of 24 = 16 (A) · 1/10 of 130 = 13 (L) · 2/3 of 3 = 2 (N)
- Clue 2 (Bar model word problems): "LEFT HANDED"Cadet used 2/3 of the oxygen canisters on the first day. The other 20 oxygen canisters were used the next day. How many oxygen canisters were there in all? = 60 (L) · Cadet has 5 times as many data drives as a teammate. The teammate has 5 data drives. How many data drives does cadet have? = 25 (N) · Cadet used 1/3 of the solar batteries on the first day. The other 82 solar batteries were used the next day. How many solar batteries were there in all? = 123 (T) · There were 112 oxygen canisters in all. 8 oxygen canisters were used. How many oxygen canisters are left? = 104 (H) · Cadet has 144 meteorite samples, packed 3 to a bag. How many bags can be filled? = 48 (A) · Cadet used 1/2 of the coolant cells on the first day. The other 71 coolant cells were used the next day. How many coolant cells were there in all? = 142 (E) · The red team has 114 solar batteries and the blue team has 29 solar batteries. How many more solar batteries does the red team have? = 85 (F)
- Clue 3 (Multi-step word problems): "MAGNETIC LOCK"Cadet collected 115 oxygen canisters in the morning and 17 oxygen canisters in the afternoon, then split them equally among 6 Starlight Station crew. How many oxygen canisters did each get? = 22 (M) · There were 395 meteorite samples in all. 4 Starlight Station crew used 40 meteorite samples each. The other 5 Starlight Station crew shared the rest equally. How many meteorite samples did each of the other Starlight Station crew get? = 47 (N) · There were 153 meteorite samples in all. 1 Starlight Station crew used 21 meteorite samples each. The other 2 Starlight Station crew shared the rest equally. How many meteorite samples did each of the other Starlight Station crew get? = 66 (E) · There were 172 meteorite samples in all. 2 Starlight Station crew used 24 meteorite samples each. The other 2 Starlight Station crew shared the rest equally. How many meteorite samples did each of the other Starlight Station crew get? = 62 (A) · Cadet filled 3 boxes with 3 meteorite samples each, then found 49 more meteorite samples. How many meteorite samples are there in all? = 58 (I) · Cadet collected 195 data drives in the morning and 9 data drives in the afternoon, then split them equally among 4 Starlight Station crew. How many data drives did each get? = 51 (T) · Cadet collected 19 oxygen canisters in the morning and 23 oxygen canisters in the afternoon, then split them equally among 3 Starlight Station crew. How many oxygen canisters did each get? = 14 (G)
- Clue 4 (Word problems): "SILVER VISOR"Cadet found 6 coolant cells yesterday and 7 more today. How many coolant cells in all? = 13 (S) · Cadet found 8 coolant cells yesterday and 40 more today. How many coolant cells in all? = 48 (V) · Cadet found 7 oxygen canisters yesterday and 18 more today. How many oxygen canisters in all? = 25 (O) · Cadet found 14 solar batteries yesterday and 10 more today. How many solar batteries in all? = 24 (L) · Cadet found 2 coolant cells yesterday and 6 more today. How many coolant cells in all? = 8 (E) · There were 74 meteorite samples. 31 were used up. How many meteorite samples are left? = 43 (R) · There were 106 oxygen canisters. 33 were used up. How many oxygen canisters are left? = 73 (I)
- Clue 5 (Fractions of a number): surviving statement (box 8) → Dr Ellen2/8 of 4 = 1 · 1/2 of 24 = 12 · 4/10 of 5 = 2 · 1/6 of 66 = 11 · 2/4 of 12 = 6 · 1/10 of 70 = 7 · 1/2 of 6 = 3 · 3/10 of 30 = 9 · 4/8 of 10 = 5 · 1/8 of 32 = 4 · 1/3 of 30 = 10
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 5 math
- Math topics
- Fractions of a number, Bar models, Multi-step word problems, Word problems
- Reading level
- grades 5-6
- Theme
- The Starlight Station Sabotage — set in Starlight Orbital Station
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects