Split #31 — the solution

The three rounds from October 30, 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 32

The numbers: 8, 3, 18, 7, 1, 6, 20, 15, 12, 17, 5, 16. 2 decoys.

The groups: 8 + 18 + 6, 3 + 12 + 17, 7 + 20 + 5, 1 + 15 + 16.

The decoys — triples that add to 32 but are not in the answer: 8 + 7 + 17; 15 + 12 + 5.

Where to start: 3, 18, 1, 6, 20 and 16 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 29

The numbers: 4, 14, 3, 7, 18, 2, 15, 6, 10, 19, 5, 13. 4 decoys.

The groups: 4 + 15 + 10, 14 + 2 + 13, 3 + 7 + 19, 18 + 6 + 5.

The decoys — triples that add to 29 but are not in the answer: 4 + 7 + 18; 4 + 6 + 19; 14 + 10 + 5; 6 + 10 + 13.

Where to start: 3, 2 and 15 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 29

The numbers: 17, 20, 2, 1, 5, 12, 6, 15, 16, 11, 3, 8. 6 decoys.

The groups: 17 + 1 + 11, 20 + 6 + 3, 2 + 12 + 15, 5 + 16 + 8.

The decoys — triples that add to 29 but are not in the answer: 20 + 1 + 8; 2 + 16 + 11; 1 + 12 + 16; 12 + 6 + 11; 6 + 15 + 8; 15 + 11 + 3.

Where to start: 17 and 5 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Previous: Split #30 (Thu, Oct 29) · Next: Split #32 (Sat, Oct 31) · 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.