Grade 10Reading: grades 7-9Pythagorean theoremSquare rootsExponentsOrder of operations
The Sunstone Temple Heist
During a jungle expedition on Isla Mistica, an unknown relic raider snuck into the camp vault and stole the ancient Golden Sunstone. By solving mathematical clues found along the trail, the expedition team can eliminate suspects and unmask the thief.
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 Tool | Carried Item | Dominant Hand | Accessory | Deterrent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wren Harper | Grappling Hook | Night Goggles | Left Handed | Braided Cord | Whistle Blast |
| Xander Blade | Climbing Claws | Pocket Decoder | Right Handed | Leather Strap | Water Splash |
| Piper Finch | Climbing Claws | Night Goggles | Left Handed | Leather Strap | Flashlight Beam |
| Gideon Drake | Grappling Hook | Encrypted Map | Right Handed | Leather Strap | Water Splash |
| Hannah Frost | Torch Whistle | Steel Machete | Right Handed | Leather Strap | Water Splash |
| Ethan Hunt | Grappling Hook | Brass Compass | Right Handed | Leather Strap | Water Splash |
| Una Brooks | Torch Whistle | Night Goggles | Right Handed | Leather Strap | Whistle Blast |
| Nadia Ray | Grappling Hook | Encrypted Map | Left Handed | Leather Strap | Water Splash |
| Dara Stone | Torch Whistle | Night Goggles | Right Handed | Braided Cord | Water Splash |
| Luna Sky | Torch Whistle | Encrypted Map | Left Handed | Braided Cord | Water Splash |
| Ian Sterling | Grappling Hook | Encrypted Map | Right Handed | Leather Strap | Flashlight Beam |
| Cyrus Vance | Grappling Hook | Encrypted Map | Left Handed | Feather Charm | Whistle Blast |
| Fiona Glen | Smoke Bomb | Steel Machete | Left Handed | Braided Cord | Flashlight Beam |
| Owen Cross | Climbing Claws | Brass Compass | Right Handed | Leather Strap | Whistle Blast |
| Rafael Silva | Grappling Hook | Brass Compass | Right Handed | Feather Charm | Water Splash |
| Sienna West | Glider Wings | Pocket Decoder | Left Handed | Feather Charm | Flashlight Beam |
| Marcus Thorne | Smoke Bomb | Encrypted Map | Right Handed | Leather Strap | Water Splash |
| Victor Knight | Glider Wings | Night Goggles | Right Handed | Braided Cord | Flashlight Beam |
| Bianca Cruz | Smoke Bomb | Encrypted Map | Right Handed | Braided Cord | Flashlight Beam |
| Tariq Khan | Glider Wings | Pocket Decoder | Right Handed | Braided Cord | Water Splash |
| Kaelen Voss | Smoke Bomb | Encrypted Map | Left Handed | Braided Cord | Flashlight Beam |
Clue 1
Pythagorean theorem
To measure the diagonal escape distance across the triangular ravine floor, the scouts calculate the direct path using perpendicular trail lengths.
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
17
41
125
75
111
123
50
10
87
T
17
39
74
125
26
37
74
T
17
75
13
10
10
65
13
29
10
13
26
26
75
74
25
50
13
26
26
legs 8 and 15, hypotenuse =T
legs 36 and 105, hypotenuse =U
legs 35 and 120, hypotenuse =E
legs 5 and 12, hypotenuse =A
legs 24 and 70, hypotenuse =O
legs 20 and 21, hypotenuse =B
legs 21 and 72, hypotenuse =C
legs 27 and 120, hypotenuse =L
legs 6 and 8, hypotenuse =R
legs 60 and 63, hypotenuse =I
legs 10 and 24, hypotenuse =S
legs 15 and 36, hypotenuse =D
legs 14 and 48, hypotenuse =P
legs 25 and 60, hypotenuse =Y
legs 9 and 40, hypotenuse =H
legs 15 and 20, hypotenuse =M
legs 12 and 35, hypotenuse =N
0/17 letters found
Clue 2
Square roots
The vault floor is paved with a square grid pattern of stone tiles, requiring the team to find the side length from the total floor area.
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
8
22
16
14
2
20
20
13
11
19
T
8
13
21
22
16
3
9
21
22
12
20
21
9
T
8
13
21
3
22
22
3
17
13
T
8
13
16
23
9
sqrt(64) =T
sqrt(144) =U
sqrt(529) =N
sqrt(169) =H
sqrt(256) =A
sqrt(4) =K
sqrt(361) =W
sqrt(289) =G
sqrt(484) =R
sqrt(441) =E
sqrt(81) =D
sqrt(196) =C
sqrt(121) =O
sqrt(9) =I
sqrt(400) =S
0/15 letters found
Clue 3
Exponents
An ancient acoustic alarm amplifies its volume exponentially across chambers, requiring calculation of the final power level.
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
512
25
64
361
121
27
36
A
512
81
256
16
32
441
4
A
512
32
289
49
16
343
196
256
81
289
256
16
A
512
361
49
256
16
128
A
512
121
27
2^9 =A
19^2 =I
14^2 =V
4^3 =U
7^2 =D
6^2 =W
2^2 =L
5^2 =Q
2^7 =B
3^4 =T
17^2 =H
2^5 =S
21^2 =P
2^8 =E
11^2 =C
7^3 =O
4^2 =R
3^3 =K
0/18 letters found
Clue 4
Order of operations
Unlocking the stone door cipher requires solving a multi step numerical sequence in the precise order of precedence.
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
26
42
18
A
26
45
17
18
95
114
45
95
A
26
115
35
A
26
114
53
95
103
115
115
18
53
59
18
114
55
53
18
45
17
18
107
A
26
115
114
14 + 2 × 6 =A
10 × 12 - 6 =S
10 × 12 - 5 =P
14 + 5 × 9 =B
4 + 2 × 7 =E
3 × 10 - 13 =H
12 × 10 - 25 =R
12 × 5 - 25 =W
11 × 11 - 14 =M
15 + 5 × 6 =T
32 + 7 × 3 =D
47 + 2 × 4 =I
9 × 12 - 5 =O
10 × 5 - 8 =L
0/14 letters found
Clue 5
Square roots — the last clue
To locate the hidden pedestal inside the square chamber, the team calculates the length of one side using the area.
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
sqrt(36) = ?
sqrt(16) = ?
sqrt(49) = ?
sqrt(25) = ?
sqrt(81) = ?
sqrt(4) = ?
sqrt(64) = ?
sqrt(1) = ?
sqrt(9) = ?
sqrt(100) = ?
sqrt(144) = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain signaled accomplices across the canyon, then followed secret paths marked on a map.
2.The villain swung across the high chasm, then navigated through total darkness.
3.The villain soared past the watchtower on wings, then followed secret paths marked on a map.
4.The villain vanished into a cloud of smoke, then followed secret paths marked on a map.
5.The villain scaled the sheer limestone cliff, then cleared dense vines blocking the exit.
6.The villain signaled accomplices across the canyon, then cleared dense vines blocking the exit.
7.The villain swung across the high chasm, then followed secret paths marked on a map.
8.The villain signaled accomplices across the canyon, then unlocked the ancient mechanical gate.
9.The villain soared past the watchtower on wings, then cleared dense vines blocking the exit.
10.The villain signaled accomplices across the canyon, then checked direction with a magnetic needle.
11.The villain scaled the sheer limestone cliff, then unlocked the ancient mechanical gate.
12.The villain swung across the high chasm, then unlocked the ancient mechanical gate.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Sunstone Temple Heist
Culprit: Xander Blade (Climbing Claws · Pocket Decoder · Right Handed · Leather Strap · Water Splash)
- Clue 1 (Pythagorean theorem): "THE CULPRIT DOES NOT CARRY A BRASS COMPASS"legs 8 and 15, hypotenuse = 17 (T) · legs 36 and 105, hypotenuse = 111 (U) · legs 35 and 120, hypotenuse = 125 (E) · legs 5 and 12, hypotenuse = 13 (A) · legs 24 and 70, hypotenuse = 74 (O) · legs 20 and 21, hypotenuse = 29 (B) · legs 21 and 72, hypotenuse = 75 (C) · legs 27 and 120, hypotenuse = 123 (L) · legs 6 and 8, hypotenuse = 10 (R) · legs 60 and 63, hypotenuse = 87 (I) · legs 10 and 24, hypotenuse = 26 (S) · legs 15 and 36, hypotenuse = 39 (D) · legs 14 and 48, hypotenuse = 50 (P) · legs 25 and 60, hypotenuse = 65 (Y) · legs 9 and 40, hypotenuse = 41 (H) · legs 15 and 20, hypotenuse = 25 (M) · legs 12 and 35, hypotenuse = 37 (N)
- Clue 2 (Square roots): "TRACKS SHOW THE RAIDER USED THEIR RIGHT HAND"sqrt(64) = 8 (T) · sqrt(144) = 12 (U) · sqrt(529) = 23 (N) · sqrt(169) = 13 (H) · sqrt(256) = 16 (A) · sqrt(4) = 2 (K) · sqrt(361) = 19 (W) · sqrt(289) = 17 (G) · sqrt(484) = 22 (R) · sqrt(441) = 21 (E) · sqrt(81) = 9 (D) · sqrt(196) = 14 (C) · sqrt(121) = 11 (O) · sqrt(9) = 3 (I) · sqrt(400) = 20 (S)
- Clue 3 (Exponents): "A QUICK WATER SPLASH DROVE THE RAIDER BACK"2^9 = 512 (A) · 19^2 = 361 (I) · 14^2 = 196 (V) · 4^3 = 64 (U) · 7^2 = 49 (D) · 6^2 = 36 (W) · 2^2 = 4 (L) · 5^2 = 25 (Q) · 2^7 = 128 (B) · 3^4 = 81 (T) · 17^2 = 289 (H) · 2^5 = 32 (S) · 21^2 = 441 (P) · 2^8 = 256 (E) · 11^2 = 121 (C) · 7^3 = 343 (O) · 4^2 = 16 (R) · 3^3 = 27 (K)
- Clue 4 (Order of operations): "A LEATHER STRAP WAS DROPPED BESIDE THE MAPS"14 + 2 × 6 = 26 (A) · 10 × 12 - 6 = 114 (S) · 10 × 12 - 5 = 115 (P) · 14 + 5 × 9 = 59 (B) · 4 + 2 × 7 = 18 (E) · 3 × 10 - 13 = 17 (H) · 12 × 10 - 25 = 95 (R) · 12 × 5 - 25 = 35 (W) · 11 × 11 - 14 = 107 (M) · 15 + 5 × 6 = 45 (T) · 32 + 7 × 3 = 53 (D) · 47 + 2 × 4 = 55 (I) · 9 × 12 - 5 = 103 (O) · 10 × 5 - 8 = 42 (L)
- Clue 5 (Square roots): surviving statement (box 11) → Xander Bladesqrt(36) = 6 · sqrt(16) = 4 · sqrt(49) = 7 · sqrt(25) = 5 · sqrt(81) = 9 · sqrt(4) = 2 · sqrt(64) = 8 · sqrt(1) = 1 · sqrt(9) = 3 · sqrt(100) = 10 · sqrt(144) = 12
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 10 math
- Math topics
- Pythagorean theorem, Square roots, Exponents, Order of operations
- Reading level
- grades 7-9
- Theme
- The Sunstone Temple Heist — set in The Serpent Caverns of Isla Mistica
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects