Split #26 — the solution

The three rounds from October 25, 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 30

The numbers: 4, 10, 19, 17, 13, 5, 2, 20, 1, 6, 8, 15. 3 decoys.

The groups: 4 + 20 + 6, 10 + 19 + 1, 17 + 5 + 8, 13 + 2 + 15.

The decoys — triples that add to 30 but are not in the answer: 10 + 5 + 15; 19 + 5 + 6; 2 + 20 + 8.

Where to start: 4, 17, 13 and 1 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 27

The numbers: 1, 3, 4, 17, 16, 2, 20, 9, 6, 10, 13, 7. 5 decoys.

The groups: 1 + 20 + 6, 3 + 17 + 7, 4 + 10 + 13, 16 + 2 + 9.

The decoys — triples that add to 27 but are not in the answer: 1 + 17 + 9; 1 + 16 + 10; 3 + 4 + 20; 4 + 17 + 6; 4 + 16 + 7.

Where to start: 2 and 13 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 29

The numbers: 3, 4, 17, 6, 1, 11, 14, 12, 9, 18, 13, 8. 6 decoys.

The groups: 3 + 18 + 8, 4 + 12 + 13, 17 + 1 + 11, 6 + 14 + 9.

The decoys — triples that add to 29 but are not in the answer: 3 + 17 + 9; 3 + 14 + 12; 4 + 17 + 8; 4 + 11 + 14; 6 + 11 + 12; 12 + 9 + 8.

Where to start: 1, 18 and 13 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are 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.