Split #9 — the solution

The three rounds from October 8, 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: 16, 9, 5, 14, 3, 17, 20, 18, 8, 2, 4, 12. 3 decoys.

The groups: 16 + 14 + 2, 9 + 5 + 18, 3 + 17 + 12, 20 + 8 + 4.

The decoys — triples that add to 32 but are not in the answer: 16 + 4 + 12; 9 + 3 + 20; 18 + 2 + 12.

Where to start: 5, 14, 17 and 8 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 37

The numbers: 20, 12, 19, 13, 1, 11, 18, 5, 8, 10, 17, 14. 5 decoys.

The groups: 20 + 12 + 5, 19 + 1 + 17, 13 + 10 + 14, 11 + 18 + 8.

The decoys — triples that add to 37 but are not in the answer: 12 + 11 + 14; 12 + 8 + 17; 19 + 13 + 5; 19 + 8 + 10; 18 + 5 + 14.

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

Round 3 — target 40

The numbers: 1, 19, 15, 9, 20, 16, 12, 14, 18, 17, 8, 11. 6 decoys.

The groups: 1 + 19 + 20, 15 + 9 + 16, 12 + 17 + 11, 14 + 18 + 8.

The decoys — triples that add to 40 but are not in the answer: 19 + 9 + 12; 15 + 14 + 11; 15 + 17 + 8; 9 + 20 + 11; 9 + 14 + 17; 20 + 12 + 8.

Where to start: 1, 16 and 18 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Previous: Split #8 (Wed, Oct 7)

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.