Split #28 — the solution

The three rounds from October 27, 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 28

The numbers: 5, 4, 1, 2, 13, 17, 8, 11, 19, 3, 20, 9. 3 decoys.

The groups: 5 + 3 + 20, 4 + 13 + 11, 1 + 8 + 19, 2 + 17 + 9.

The decoys — triples that add to 28 but are not in the answer: 5 + 4 + 19; 17 + 8 + 3; 8 + 11 + 9.

Where to start: 1, 2, 13 and 20 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 35

The numbers: 15, 20, 5, 2, 17, 12, 4, 10, 11, 18, 7, 19. 4 decoys.

The groups: 15 + 2 + 18, 20 + 5 + 10, 17 + 11 + 7, 12 + 4 + 19.

The decoys — triples that add to 35 but are not in the answer: 20 + 4 + 11; 5 + 12 + 18; 5 + 11 + 19; 10 + 18 + 7.

Where to start: 15, 2 and 17 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 32

The numbers: 3, 14, 17, 19, 15, 18, 11, 12, 1, 7, 6, 5. 6 decoys.

The groups: 3 + 18 + 11, 14 + 17 + 1, 19 + 7 + 6, 15 + 12 + 5.

The decoys — triples that add to 32 but are not in the answer: 3 + 14 + 15; 3 + 17 + 12; 14 + 11 + 7; 14 + 12 + 6; 19 + 12 + 1; 15 + 11 + 6.

Where to start: 18 and 5 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.