Split #3 — the solution

The three rounds from October 2, 2026: twelve numbers each, split into four groups of three that add to the target — the one way each round allows, with its decoys and where the reasoning starts.

Round 1 — target 35

The numbers: 5, 13, 18, 15, 16, 12, 11, 1, 9, 17, 3, 20. 2 decoys.

The groups: 5 + 13 + 17, 18 + 16 + 1, 15 + 11 + 9, 12 + 3 + 20.

The decoys — triples that add to 35 but are not in the answer: 5 + 18 + 12; 15 + 17 + 3.

Where to start: 13, 16, 11, 1, 9 and 20 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 32

The numbers: 11, 9, 15, 18, 17, 7, 3, 2, 10, 20, 4, 12. 5 decoys.

The groups: 11 + 17 + 4, 9 + 3 + 20, 15 + 7 + 10, 18 + 2 + 12.

The decoys — triples that add to 32 but are not in the answer: 11 + 9 + 12; 11 + 18 + 3; 18 + 10 + 4; 17 + 3 + 12; 2 + 10 + 20.

Where to start: 15 and 7 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 32

The numbers: 7, 4, 11, 9, 14, 19, 2, 20, 13, 16, 3, 10. 6 decoys.

The groups: 7 + 11 + 14, 4 + 9 + 19, 2 + 20 + 10, 13 + 16 + 3.

The decoys — triples that add to 32 but are not in the answer: 7 + 9 + 16; 11 + 19 + 2; 9 + 20 + 3; 9 + 13 + 10; 14 + 2 + 16; 19 + 3 + 10.

Where to start: 4 sits in only one on-target triple, so its group is certain — start there.

Previous: Split #2 (Thu, Oct 1)

About Split

Split is Noggin’s number puzzle, on the second shelf: twelve numbers into four groups of three, three rounds a day, outside the daily line-up. How to play Split, or play today’s.