Split #16 — the solution

The three rounds from October 15, 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 31

The numbers: 13, 19, 9, 1, 18, 4, 2, 3, 7, 20, 16, 12. 3 decoys.

The groups: 13 + 2 + 16, 19 + 9 + 3, 1 + 18 + 12, 4 + 7 + 20.

The decoys — triples that add to 31 but are not in the answer: 9 + 18 + 4; 9 + 2 + 20; 3 + 16 + 12.

Where to start: 13, 19, 1 and 7 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 28

The numbers: 9, 10, 11, 6, 19, 1, 8, 7, 20, 14, 5, 2. 4 decoys.

The groups: 9 + 14 + 5, 10 + 11 + 7, 6 + 20 + 2, 19 + 1 + 8.

The decoys — triples that add to 28 but are not in the answer: 9 + 11 + 8; 6 + 8 + 14; 19 + 7 + 2; 1 + 7 + 20.

Where to start: 10 and 5 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 29

The numbers: 17, 3, 7, 4, 11, 2, 8, 1, 20, 19, 14, 10. 6 decoys.

The groups: 17 + 2 + 10, 3 + 7 + 19, 4 + 11 + 14, 8 + 1 + 20.

The decoys — triples that add to 29 but are not in the answer: 17 + 4 + 8; 17 + 11 + 1; 7 + 2 + 20; 7 + 8 + 14; 11 + 8 + 10; 2 + 8 + 19.

Where to start: 3 sits in only one on-target triple, so its group is certain — start there.

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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.