Split #17 — the solution

The three rounds from October 16, 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: 20, 3, 2, 10, 19, 17, 5, 11, 1, 8, 6, 14. 3 decoys.

The groups: 20 + 3 + 6, 2 + 19 + 8, 10 + 5 + 14, 17 + 11 + 1.

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

Where to start: 3, 19, 5, 6 and 14 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 32

The numbers: 16, 20, 18, 14, 1, 8, 10, 2, 11, 19, 4, 5. 5 decoys.

The groups: 16 + 14 + 2, 20 + 1 + 11, 18 + 10 + 4, 8 + 19 + 5.

The decoys — triples that add to 32 but are not in the answer: 16 + 11 + 5; 20 + 8 + 4; 20 + 10 + 2; 14 + 8 + 10; 2 + 11 + 19.

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

Round 3 — target 35

The numbers: 16, 14, 9, 20, 2, 3, 7, 12, 10, 15, 19, 13. 6 decoys.

The groups: 16 + 9 + 10, 14 + 2 + 19, 20 + 3 + 12, 7 + 15 + 13.

The decoys — triples that add to 35 but are not in the answer: 16 + 7 + 12; 14 + 9 + 12; 9 + 7 + 19; 20 + 2 + 13; 3 + 19 + 13; 12 + 10 + 13.

Where to start: 15 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.