Split #20 — the solution

The three rounds from October 19, 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: 19, 3, 14, 5, 6, 18, 4, 13, 11, 10, 1, 20. 2 decoys.

The groups: 19 + 11 + 1, 3 + 18 + 10, 14 + 4 + 13, 5 + 6 + 20.

The decoys — triples that add to 31 but are not in the answer: 14 + 6 + 11; 10 + 1 + 20.

Where to start: 19, 3, 5, 18, 4 and 13 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 34

The numbers: 2, 20, 12, 9, 8, 1, 16, 17, 19, 10, 15, 7. 5 decoys.

The groups: 2 + 20 + 12, 9 + 10 + 15, 8 + 19 + 7, 1 + 16 + 17.

The decoys — triples that add to 34 but are not in the answer: 2 + 17 + 15; 12 + 15 + 7; 9 + 8 + 17; 8 + 16 + 10; 17 + 10 + 7.

Where to start: 20, 1 and 19 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 28

The numbers: 1, 12, 17, 7, 5, 2, 11, 16, 3, 14, 15, 9. 7 decoys.

The groups: 1 + 12 + 15, 17 + 2 + 9, 7 + 5 + 16, 11 + 3 + 14.

The decoys — triples that add to 28 but are not in the answer: 1 + 11 + 16; 12 + 7 + 9; 12 + 5 + 11; 12 + 2 + 14; 5 + 14 + 9; 2 + 11 + 15; 16 + 3 + 9.

Where to start: 17 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.