Split #4 — the solution

The three rounds from October 3, 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 34

The numbers: 18, 1, 2, 12, 20, 10, 16, 8, 19, 9, 14, 7. 3 decoys.

The groups: 18 + 9 + 7, 1 + 19 + 14, 2 + 12 + 20, 10 + 16 + 8.

The decoys — triples that add to 34 but are not in the answer: 18 + 2 + 14; 12 + 8 + 14; 8 + 19 + 7.

Where to start: 1, 20, 10, 16 and 9 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 31

The numbers: 13, 19, 3, 10, 16, 2, 1, 6, 20, 15, 8, 11. 4 decoys.

The groups: 13 + 16 + 2, 19 + 1 + 11, 3 + 20 + 8, 10 + 6 + 15.

The decoys — triples that add to 31 but are not in the answer: 13 + 3 + 15; 13 + 10 + 8; 19 + 10 + 2; 10 + 1 + 20.

Where to start: 16, 6 and 11 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 31

The numbers: 9, 16, 5, 11, 8, 7, 17, 3, 12, 19, 4, 13. 6 decoys.

The groups: 9 + 5 + 17, 16 + 3 + 12, 11 + 7 + 13, 8 + 19 + 4.

The decoys — triples that add to 31 but are not in the answer: 9 + 3 + 19; 16 + 11 + 4; 16 + 8 + 7; 5 + 7 + 19; 11 + 8 + 12; 11 + 17 + 3.

Where to start: 13 sits in only one on-target triple, so its group is certain — start there.

Previous: Split #3 (Fri, Oct 2)

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.