A Mystery Detective Adventure through Linear
Equations and Algebraic Reasoning
LEARNER CATEGORY
Secondary (Grades 6-10)
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, Terms of Use
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This resource is licensed for use by one purchaser only.
You may:
1. Print or use this resource for your own classroom, home, tutoring
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2. Make copies for the students or children you personally teach or
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The one exception built directly into this resource is classroom and
homeschool use: a single purchasing teacher, lecturer, or parent may
reproduce the student-facing pages of this gamebook for use with their own
students or their own child, within their own classroom, tutoring practice, or
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Resell, redistribute, modify for resale, or claim this work as your own.
For inquiries:
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, Teacher Notes
The Algebra Case Files covers a complete first pass through linear
equations for secondary students across all 10 missions: a short verified
history of algebra, simplifying expressions by collecting like terms, one-step
and two-step equations, equations with brackets, equations with the variable
on both sides, equations with fractions, forming equations from word
problems, solving inequalities including the negative sign-flip rule, and
rearranging formulae.
Ten genuinely different puzzle formats are used across the ten missions,
with no repeats. Expect approximately two to three hours of engaged work
for a typical student, ideally spread across multiple sessions. Every answer,
along with a full worked explanation, is provided in the Complete Answer Key
page.
Mission Progression: A correct answer unlocks the next case. If an answer
is incorrect, students should review the evidence and reasoning, then try
again before advancing. Students should advance only after successfully
solving the current case.
This gamebook is built to align with US Common Core, UK GCSE,
Australian, Canadian, European, Asian, and International secondary
mathematics curriculum standards.
The Algebra Case Files includes a Certificate of Achievement. Upon
successful completion of all 10 missions, the certificate may be signed and
awarded by the teacher.
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, Welcome to the Adventure
The trophy case in the main hallway is empty. The Grand Equation, the
engraved plaque Riverbend Middle School's Math Club has held for six years
running, is gone, and Regionals begin in two days.
Taped to the empty glass is a single note reading: Solve your way to me. It
is signed only, The Puzzle Phantom.
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