Spectrum #90: Order these subway systems by number of stations — the solution
The Spectrum puzzle from November 12, 2026: six things on one hidden scale, fewest to most, with every figure and where the checks were best spent.
The puzzle
Order these subway systems by number of stations, fewest at the top and most at the bottom. The board opened in this order:
- Paris Métro
- New York City Subway
- Atlanta's MARTA
- Chicago 'L'
- London Underground
- Washington Metro
Nothing was in its place; Paris Métro opened 4 places from home.
The walkthrough
The ends first. Atlanta's MARTA is the fewest of the six at 38 stations and New York City Subway the most at 472 stations. Anchor those and the middle four are what is left to place.
Where the scale splits. The widest gap is between Paris Métro (321 stations) and New York City Subway (472 stations) — 151 stations 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. Washington Metro (98 stations) and Chicago 'L' (146 stations) are only 48 stations 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
| # | Fewest to Most | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta's MARTA | 38 stations |
| 2 | Washington Metro | 98 stations |
| 3 | Chicago 'L' | 146 stations |
| 4 | London Underground | 272 stations |
| 5 | Paris Métro | 321 stations |
| 6 | New York City Subway | 472 stations |
Previous: Spectrum #89 (Wed, Nov 11) · Next: Spectrum #91 (Fri, Nov 13) · 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.