Split #5 — the solution

The three rounds from October 4, 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 32

The numbers: 19, 3, 7, 10, 12, 15, 13, 8, 2, 18, 16, 5. 3 decoys.

The groups: 19 + 8 + 5, 3 + 13 + 16, 7 + 10 + 15, 12 + 2 + 18.

The decoys — triples that add to 32 but are not in the answer: 19 + 3 + 10; 7 + 12 + 13; 12 + 15 + 5.

Where to start: 8, 2, 18 and 16 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 25

The numbers: 5, 9, 2, 11, 1, 10, 7, 8, 17, 20, 6, 4. 4 decoys.

The groups: 5 + 9 + 11, 2 + 17 + 6, 1 + 20 + 4, 10 + 7 + 8.

The decoys — triples that add to 25 but are not in the answer: 9 + 10 + 6; 11 + 10 + 4; 11 + 8 + 6; 1 + 7 + 17.

Where to start: 5, 2 and 20 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 33

The numbers: 16, 12, 17, 20, 2, 4, 14, 1, 15, 3, 10, 18. 6 decoys.

The groups: 16 + 2 + 15, 12 + 17 + 4, 20 + 3 + 10, 14 + 1 + 18.

The decoys — triples that add to 33 but are not in the answer: 16 + 14 + 3; 12 + 20 + 1; 12 + 3 + 18; 17 + 2 + 14; 17 + 1 + 15; 4 + 14 + 15.

Where to start: 10 sits in only one on-target triple, so its group is certain — start there.

Previous: Split #4 (Sat, Oct 3)

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.