Spectrum #88: Order these by how big the number is — the solution
The Spectrum puzzle from November 10, 2026: six things on one hidden scale, smallest to largest, with every figure and where the checks were best spent.
The puzzle
Order these by how big the number is, smallest at the top and largest at the bottom. The board opened in this order:
- Atoms in the observable universe
- Ways to shuffle a deck of cards
- Possible games of tic-tac-toe
- Powerball combinations
- Completed Sudoku grids
- Positions of a Rubik's Cube
Nothing was in its place; Atoms in the observable universe opened 5 places from home.
The walkthrough
The ends first. Possible games of tic-tac-toe is the smallest of the six at 6 digits and Atoms in the observable universe the largest at 81 digits. Anchor those and the middle four are what is left to place.
Where the scale splits. The widest gap is between Completed Sudoku grids (22 digits) and Ways to shuffle a deck of cards (68 digits) — 46 digits apart. Everything above that line belongs on the smallest side and everything below it on the largest side, so sorting the six into those two groups is most of the puzzle.
The closest call. Positions of a Rubik's Cube (20 digits) and Completed Sudoku grids (22 digits) are only 2 digits 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
| # | Smallest to Largest | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Possible games of tic-tac-toe | 6 digits |
| 2 | Powerball combinations | 9 digits |
| 3 | Positions of a Rubik's Cube | 20 digits |
| 4 | Completed Sudoku grids | 22 digits |
| 5 | Ways to shuffle a deck of cards | 68 digits |
| 6 | Atoms in the observable universe | 81 digits |
Previous: Spectrum #87 (Mon, Nov 9) · Next: Spectrum #89 (Wed, Nov 11) · All Spectrum solutions
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.