Split #39 — the solution

The three rounds from November 7, 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 29

The numbers: 7, 6, 1, 20, 15, 4, 10, 12, 9, 11, 19, 2. 3 decoys.

The groups: 7 + 20 + 2, 6 + 12 + 11, 1 + 9 + 19, 15 + 4 + 10.

The decoys — triples that add to 29 but are not in the answer: 7 + 10 + 12; 6 + 4 + 19; 15 + 12 + 2.

Where to start: 1, 20, 9 and 11 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 30

The numbers: 20, 15, 6, 8, 2, 10, 16, 3, 4, 13, 14, 9. 5 decoys.

The groups: 20 + 8 + 2, 15 + 6 + 9, 10 + 16 + 4, 3 + 13 + 14.

The decoys — triples that add to 30 but are not in the answer: 20 + 6 + 4; 15 + 2 + 13; 6 + 8 + 16; 6 + 10 + 14; 8 + 13 + 9.

Where to start: 3 sits in only one on-target triple, so its group is certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 30

The numbers: 8, 13, 6, 2, 15, 19, 14, 11, 16, 4, 9, 3. 6 decoys.

The groups: 8 + 6 + 16, 13 + 14 + 3, 2 + 19 + 9, 15 + 11 + 4.

The decoys — triples that add to 30 but are not in the answer: 8 + 13 + 9; 8 + 19 + 3; 13 + 6 + 11; 13 + 2 + 15; 6 + 15 + 9; 11 + 16 + 3.

Where to start: 14 and 4 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.