Split #29 — the solution

The three rounds from October 28, 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 26

The numbers: 7, 17, 11, 1, 8, 2, 3, 9, 12, 4, 10, 20. 3 decoys.

The groups: 7 + 9 + 10, 17 + 1 + 8, 11 + 3 + 12, 2 + 4 + 20.

The decoys — triples that add to 26 but are not in the answer: 7 + 17 + 2; 7 + 11 + 8; 12 + 4 + 10.

Where to start: 1, 3, 9 and 20 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 31

The numbers: 1, 16, 18, 4, 6, 11, 3, 5, 20, 17, 10, 13. 4 decoys.

The groups: 1 + 17 + 13, 16 + 4 + 11, 18 + 3 + 10, 6 + 5 + 20.

The decoys — triples that add to 31 but are not in the answer: 1 + 20 + 10; 16 + 5 + 10; 4 + 17 + 10; 11 + 3 + 17.

Where to start: 18, 6 and 13 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 31

The numbers: 6, 13, 20, 16, 3, 7, 17, 15, 2, 11, 5, 9. 6 decoys.

The groups: 6 + 20 + 5, 13 + 16 + 2, 3 + 17 + 11, 7 + 15 + 9.

The decoys — triples that add to 31 but are not in the answer: 6 + 16 + 9; 13 + 3 + 15; 13 + 7 + 11; 20 + 2 + 9; 17 + 5 + 9; 15 + 11 + 5.

Where to start: No number is forced outright; 20 (2 ways), 17 (2 ways) and 16 (2 ways) have the fewest ways to reach 31, so start with those.

Previous: Split #28 (Tue, Oct 27) · Next: Split #30 (Thu, Oct 29) · All Split solutions

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.