The Math Puzzle in 007 First Light is a hidden logic puzzle tucked inside a locker during the Wave of the Future mission. Most players walk straight past it. Finding it and reading the note unlocks the Snoop Around challenge, and solving it gives you the code to a hidden route into the Security Office. This guide covers exactly where to find the puzzle, how to solve it, and what to do with the answer.
TL;DR
- The Math Puzzle is in the Locker Room during the Wave of the Future mission at Webb Industries
- Head downstairs from the office area, distract the civilian with the photocopier, and grab the Office Key
- Use the key to unlock the Locker Room upstairs and read the Note With Keypad Puzzle
- Reading the note triggers the Snoop Around challenge — you must read it first even if you know the code
- The puzzle solution is 1864
- Enter 1864 at the Archives door keypad to access a hidden vent route leading to the Security Office
What Is the Math Puzzle in 007 First Light?
The Math Puzzle — officially called the Note With Keypad Puzzle — is an optional hidden item inside the Wave of the Future mission. It appears during the section where Bond needs to upgrade his ID Bracelet in the Security Office to reach the Command Centre.
The Security Office is locked. The game offers several ways to get inside, including surrendering to a guard, using a safe code, or crawling through a vent via the Archives. The Snoop Around challenge is tied to this last method — but to trigger it, Bond must first find and read the note hidden in the Locker Room. The puzzle on the note gives you the four-digit code for the Archives door.
This is one of 24 challenges in Wave of the Future. For the full breakdown of every challenge in this mission, see the Wave of the Future all challenges guide.
Where to Find the Math Puzzle
The Math Puzzle is inside the Locker Room on the upper floor of the Operations area. You cannot access it directly — you need the Office Key first, which is on the lower floor. Here is the full path.
Step 1 — Head Downstairs After Isola Leaves
Once Isola separates from Bond and you are left alone in the office section of Webb Industries, your objective becomes upgrading the ID Bracelet. At this point, take the stairs on the left down to the lower floor. You will find an open office space below.
Step 2 — Distract the Civilian and Grab the Office Key
There is a civilian NPC standing near the Office Key on the lower floor. You cannot take the key while she is standing there without drawing attention. To move her, interact with the nearby photocopier to turn it on. The noise distracts her and causes her to step away from the key.
While she is distracted, quietly pick up the Office Key. Do not rush or bump into her — stay patient and wait until she has fully moved before grabbing it.
Step 3 — Return Upstairs and Unlock the Locker Room
With the Office Key in hand, head back upstairs. Find the Locker Room door nearby and use the key to unlock it. Step inside.
Step 4 — Find and Read the Note With Keypad Puzzle
Inside the Locker Room, inspect the lockers until you find the item labelled Note With Keypad Puzzle. Interact with it to read it. This is the critical step — you must physically read the note for the Snoop Around challenge to register. Even if you already know the code, entering it at the Archives door without reading the note first will not complete the challenge. The game requires Bond to read the document to trigger the unlock.
How to Solve the Math Puzzle
The note contains four clues, one for each digit of the four-digit keypad code. Here is exactly what each clue says and what it means.
Digit 1
“I am one.”
This digit is simply stated outright. Digit 1 = 1.
Digit 4 (Work Backwards From Here)
“I am ten digits less than digits 3 and 2 combined.”
This one is the anchor for the chain. You need to solve Digits 2 and 3 first to get here, but once you have them, Digit 4 = (Digit 2 + Digit 3) minus 10.
Digit 3
“I am two digits higher than digit 4.”
Digit 3 is two more than Digit 4.
Digit 2
“I am two digits higher than digit 3.”
Digit 2 is two more than Digit 3.
The Solution
Working through the logic: Digit 1 is 1. Setting Digit 4 as the unknown anchor and solving the chain gives Digit 4 = 4, Digit 3 = 6, Digit 2 = 8. The note also provides a helpful hint — the solution is the year of a famous battle — which confirms the answer.
The code is 1864.
This is the year of the Battle of Koniggratz (also known as the Battle of Sadowa) during the Austro-Prussian conflict, one of the most decisive European battles of the 19th century. The hint is there to validate your arithmetic rather than replace it.
How to Use the Code — Archives Door
Once you have the code from the note (or have confirmed it through the puzzle), head to the Archives door keypad in the Operations area near the Security Office route. Enter 1864 and confirm the input.
The door unlocks and gives you access to a hidden ventilation shaft. Crawl through it and it leads directly to the Security Office from below, completely bypassing the guards between you and the upgrade station. This is the cleanest stealth approach to the whole Security Office section — no combat, no detections, and no surrendering to guards.
Once inside the Security Office, interact with the upgrade station to complete the ID Bracelet objective. The M Profile Intel collectible is also on the desk inside — grab it before you leave.
Does the Snoop Around Challenge Unlock When I Enter the Code?
No. The Snoop Around challenge does not unlock just from entering the code at the Archives door. The trigger is reading the Note With Keypad Puzzle in the Locker Room. If you entered the code first without reading the note, the challenge will not complete. You need to go back, get the Office Key, unlock the Locker Room, read the note, and then the challenge will register. Plan ahead and always read the note before going to the keypad.
Other Ways to Enter the Security Office
The Math Puzzle and Archives vent is just one of three challenge-linked routes into the Security Office during Wave of the Future. Each one is tied to a separate challenge.
- Snoop Around — Solve the Math Puzzle, use code 1864 at the Archives door, enter via the vent (this guide)
- Attention to Detail — Get the Safe Key from the Legal Department, open the safe under the desk in the Office to find the same code 1864, enter via the Archives vent
- Surrender — Identify yourself to a Webb Security guard as David Somerset and let them escort you directly to the Security Office. You will face three hostile NPCs inside upon arrival
All three methods lead to the same upgrade station. The difference is the path and the challenge each one unlocks. If you want all three challenges in one playthrough, you will need to replay the mission section — they cannot all be earned simultaneously in a single run since each changes how you enter the room.
Tips for the Snoop Around Challenge
- Read the note before entering the code. This cannot be stressed enough. The challenge trigger is tied to reading the document, not to entering the code. Always read first.
- Use the photocopier cleanly. Activating the photocopier is the safest way to distract the civilian near the Office Key. Do not bump into her or interact with anything else first or she may become suspicious.
- Pick up the M Profile Intel. It is on the desk inside the Security Office. It is easy to miss if you rush straight to the upgrade station and leave. Grab it on the way through.
- Do this on a stealth run. The vent route via the Archives is the most guard-free path into the Security Office. If you are attempting a ghost or pacifist run, this is the method to use.
- Missed it? Use mission replay. If you skipped the note on your first pass, use the mission replay feature to jump back to the relevant checkpoint and redo it without restarting the full mission.
About Wave of the Future
Wave of the Future is the penultimate mission in 007 First Light — Mission 16 of 17 — set inside the Webb Industries robotics and operations facility. It has 24 challenges in total, making it one of the most content-dense chapters in the game. The Snoop Around challenge is one of the more hidden ones, tucked away behind an optional key grab and locker inspection that most players skip on their first run.
For everything else in this mission, the Wave of the Future all challenges guide has every challenge covered with steps and tips.
Related 007 First Light Guides
- Steal Field Equipment Walkthrough
- How to Get Intel Clearance Level
- Data Center Disguise – After Hours Underdressed
- Roger Finch’s Keycard – Exclusive Access Stairs
- Dining Room Puzzle Guide
- Safe in Webb’s Office – Crackerjack Challenge
- Hotel Manager’s Safe – Wine Connoisseur Challenge
- All Gadgets in 007 First Light
- All Missions, Challenges & Collectibles
- How Long to Beat 007 First Light
Where to Get 007 First Light
007 First Light is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
