Split #8 — the solution

The three rounds from October 7, 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 29

The numbers: 12, 8, 5, 4, 3, 1, 14, 9, 19, 13, 10, 18. 3 decoys.

The groups: 12 + 4 + 13, 8 + 3 + 18, 5 + 14 + 10, 1 + 9 + 19.

The decoys — triples that add to 29 but are not in the answer: 12 + 8 + 9; 12 + 3 + 14; 1 + 10 + 18.

Where to start: 5, 4, 19 and 13 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 34

The numbers: 6, 7, 13, 20, 16, 3, 19, 1, 14, 8, 18, 11. 4 decoys.

The groups: 6 + 20 + 8, 7 + 16 + 11, 13 + 3 + 18, 19 + 1 + 14.

The decoys — triples that add to 34 but are not in the answer: 7 + 13 + 14; 7 + 19 + 8; 13 + 20 + 1; 20 + 3 + 11.

Where to start: 6, 16 and 18 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 30

The numbers: 18, 10, 2, 7, 6, 19, 8, 12, 5, 4, 15, 14. 6 decoys.

The groups: 18 + 10 + 2, 7 + 8 + 15, 6 + 19 + 5, 12 + 4 + 14.

The decoys — triples that add to 30 but are not in the answer: 18 + 7 + 5; 18 + 8 + 4; 10 + 6 + 14; 10 + 8 + 12; 10 + 5 + 15; 7 + 19 + 4.

Where to start: 2 sits in only one on-target triple, so its group is certain — start there.

Previous: Split #7 (Tue, Oct 6)

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.