Simplify [[\frac{1}{2}(8y+6)-3y]]. Record the constant term. Then enter the five-digit Lock 1 code: ________.

[[y+3]]; digit [[3]]. Lock 1 code: [[26143]]

Solve [[4-2(x+3)=-10]]. Record the ones digit. Then enter the five-digit Lock 2 code: ________.

[[x=4]]; digit [[4]]. Lock 2 code: [[85974]]

Write the line with slope [[\frac{3}{2}]] through [[(2,1)]]. Record the absolute value of the y-intercept. Then enter the five-digit Lock 3 code: ________.

[[y=\frac{3}{2}x-2]]; digit [[2]]. Lock 3 code: [[27922]]

Solve [[x^{2}-7x+12=0]]. Record the larger solution.

[[x=3]] or [[x=4]]; digit [[4]]

Solve [[x^{2}-9x+20=0]] and record the smaller root.

[[x=4]] or [[x=5]]; digit [[4]]

Solve [[2x+y=11]] and [[x-y=1]]. Record [[y]]. Then enter the five-digit Lock 4 code: ________.

[[(x,y)=(4,3)]]; digit [[3]]. Lock 4 code: [[44643]]

Write your lock codes. Lock 1: ________ Lock 2: ________ Lock 3: ________ Lock 4: ________. Take the 3rd digit of Lock 1, the 1st digit of Lock 2, the 5th digit of Lock 3, and the 2nd digit of Lock 4, in that order. Enter the four-digit exit code: ________.

Lock codes: [[26143]], [[85974]], [[27922]], and [[44643]]. Extracted digits: [[1]], [[8]], [[2]], [[4]]. Final exit code: [[1824]]

Free printable Halloween activity

Halloween Algebra Escape Room

A printable 21-problem Halloween algebra escape room with four working lock codes and a final meta-code, covering expressions, equations, lines, systems, and quadratics.

Grades 7–1021 problemsAbout 70 minutesAnswers included

Download the free activity PDF

Why this activity works

Each lock requires a different algebraic habit: simplifying without dropping signs, preserving equality, connecting slope to coordinates, and using structure to solve a system or quadratic. Every answer contributes a digit, every five-digit code opens a lock, and the four completed codes feed a final escape challenge.

Teaching note

Let students ask for one hint per lock: identify the first operation, name the relevant form, or suggest a checking method. Avoid supplying a complete equation step.

Materials

Pencil
Scratch paper

How to use it

Solve the five clues at each lock. Record the requested digit from every answer in order to make a five-digit lock code. After opening all four locks, use the extraction rule in the Final Escape to build the exit code.

Complete activity preview

All prompts below are included in the printable version. Keep the answer key closed until the activity is complete.

Lock 1: The expression cabinet

Simplify each expression and record the requested digit. Read the five digits in problem order.

1Simplify 3(2x + 4) - x. Record the ones digit of the constant term.
2Simplify 7y - 2(y - 3). Record the constant term.
3Simplify 4 - 3(2a + 1) + a. Record the constant term.
4Simplify $\displaystyle 2(3x-5)-4(x+1)$ . Record the ones digit of the constant term.
5Simplify $\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}(8y+6)-3y$ . Record the constant term. Then enter the five-digit Lock 1 code: ________.

Lock 2: The equation staircase

Solve each equation and use the ones digit of its solution.

6Solve 5x - 9 = 31. Record the ones digit of the solution.
7Solve 3(x + 4) = 27. Record the ones digit of the solution.
8Solve 7x - 6 = 4x + 21. Record the ones digit of the solution.
9Solve $\displaystyle \frac{x-2}{3}=5$ . Record the ones digit of the solution.
10Solve $\displaystyle 4-2(x+3)=-10$ . Record the ones digit. Then enter the five-digit Lock 2 code: ________.

Lock 3: The corridor of lines

Find each slope or intercept and record its requested positive digit.

11Find the slope through (1, 4) and (5, 12). Record the slope.
12For $\displaystyle y=-3x+7$ , record the y-intercept.
13Rewrite $\displaystyle 2x+y=9$ in slope-intercept form and record the positive y-intercept.
14Find the slope through $\displaystyle (-2,5)$ and $\displaystyle (4,-7)$ . Record its absolute value.
15Write the line with slope $\displaystyle \frac{3}{2}$ through $\displaystyle (2,1)$ . Record the absolute value of the y-intercept. Then enter the five-digit Lock 3 code: ________.

Lock 4: The final door

Solve each mixed challenge and record the requested value.

16Solve $\displaystyle y=x+1$ and $\displaystyle y=-x+9$ . Record $\displaystyle x$ .
17Solve $\displaystyle x^{2}-7x+12=0$ . Record the larger solution.
18Three identical tickets plus a $2 fee cost $20. Find one ticket's price and record its dollar value.
19Solve $\displaystyle x^{2}-9x+20=0$ and record the smaller root.
20Solve $\displaystyle 2x+y=11$ and $\displaystyle x-y=1$ . Record $\displaystyle y$ . Then enter the five-digit Lock 4 code: ________.

Final Escape: The moonlit gate

Use the four completed lock codes to extract the final four-digit exit code.

21Write your lock codes. Lock 1: ________ Lock 2: ________ Lock 3: ________ Lock 4: ________. Take the 3rd digit of Lock 1, the 1st digit of Lock 2, the 5th digit of Lock 3, and the 2nd digit of Lock 4, in that order. Enter the four-digit exit code: ________.

Open the complete solutions

Open-ended and experimental responses may differ when the reasoning meets the stated conditions.

Lock 1: The expression cabinet

1. $\displaystyle 5x+12$ ; digit $\displaystyle 2$

2. $\displaystyle 5y+6$ ; digit $\displaystyle 6$

3. $\displaystyle 1-5a$ ; digit $\displaystyle 1$

4. $\displaystyle 2x-14$ ; digit $\displaystyle 4$

5. $\displaystyle y+3$ ; digit $\displaystyle 3$ . Lock 1 code: $\displaystyle 26143$

Lock 2: The equation staircase

6. $\displaystyle x=8$ ; digit $\displaystyle 8$

7. $\displaystyle x=5$ ; digit $\displaystyle 5$

8. $\displaystyle x=9$ ; digit $\displaystyle 9$

9. $\displaystyle x=17$ ; digit $\displaystyle 7$

10. $\displaystyle x=4$ ; digit $\displaystyle 4$ . Lock 2 code: $\displaystyle 85974$

Lock 3: The corridor of lines

11. Slope $\displaystyle 2$ ; digit $\displaystyle 2$

12. y-intercept $\displaystyle 7$ ; digit $\displaystyle 7$

13. $\displaystyle y=-2x+9$ ; digit $\displaystyle 9$

14. Slope $\displaystyle -2$ ; digit $\displaystyle 2$

15. $\displaystyle y=\frac{3}{2}x-2$ ; digit $\displaystyle 2$ . Lock 3 code: $\displaystyle 27922$

Lock 4: The final door

16. $\displaystyle (x,y)=(4,5)$ ; digit $\displaystyle 4$

17. $\displaystyle x=3$ or $\displaystyle x=4$ ; digit $\displaystyle 4$

18. $6; digit $\displaystyle 6$

19. $\displaystyle x=4$ or $\displaystyle x=5$ ; digit $\displaystyle 4$

20. $\displaystyle (x,y)=(4,3)$ ; digit $\displaystyle 3$ . Lock 4 code: $\displaystyle 44643$

Final Escape: The moonlit gate

21. Lock codes: $\displaystyle 26143$ , $\displaystyle 85974$ , $\displaystyle 27922$ , and $\displaystyle 44643$ . Extracted digits: $\displaystyle 1$ , $\displaystyle 8$ , $\displaystyle 2$ , $\displaystyle 4$ . Final exit code: $\displaystyle 1824$

Why this activity works

Teaching note

Materials

How to use it

Complete activity preview

Lock 1: The expression cabinet

Lock 2: The equation staircase

Lock 3: The corridor of lines

Lock 4: The final door

Final Escape: The moonlit gate

Lock 1: The expression cabinet

Lock 2: The equation staircase

Lock 3: The corridor of lines

Lock 4: The final door

Final Escape: The moonlit gate

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