Spectrum #44: Order these US flags by number of stars — the solution

The Spectrum puzzle from September 27, 2026: six things on one hidden scale, fewest to most, with every figure and where the checks were best spent.

The puzzle

Order these US flags by number of stars, fewest at the top and most at the bottom. The board opened in this order:

1. Today's flag
2. The 1818 flag
3. The 1912 flag
4. The 1777 flag
5. The Civil War flag
6. The 1795 flag

Nothing was in its place; Today's flag opened 5 places from home.

The walkthrough

The ends first. The 1777 flag is the fewest of the six at 13 stars and Today's flag the most at 50 stars. Anchor those and the middle four are what is left to place.

Where the scale splits. The widest gap is between The 1818 flag (20 stars) and The Civil War flag (34 stars) — 14 stars apart. Everything above that line belongs on the fewest side and everything below it on the most side, so sorting the six into those two groups is most of the puzzle.

The closest call. The 1777 flag (13 stars) and The 1795 flag (15 stars) are only 2 stars apart — the pair that is a coin flip without the figures, and the place to spend a check: a check locks whatever is already right and leaves only the wrong tiles to swap.

The answer

Previous: Spectrum #43 (Sat, Sep 26)

About Spectrum

Spectrum is Noggin’s daily ordering puzzle: six things, one hidden scale, three checks. Tiles in the right place lock green; the figures turn over when the board is done. How to play Spectrum, or play today’s.