Split #40 — the solution

The three rounds from November 8, 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 34

The numbers: 17, 6, 7, 3, 20, 16, 1, 13, 15, 10, 9, 19. 3 decoys.

The groups: 17 + 7 + 10, 6 + 9 + 19, 3 + 16 + 15, 20 + 1 + 13.

The decoys — triples that add to 34 but are not in the answer: 17 + 16 + 1; 6 + 13 + 15; 15 + 10 + 9.

Where to start: 7, 3, 20 and 19 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 28

The numbers: 12, 8, 5, 9, 18, 1, 3, 6, 4, 14, 17, 15. 5 decoys.

The groups: 12 + 1 + 15, 8 + 3 + 17, 5 + 9 + 14, 18 + 6 + 4.

The decoys — triples that add to 28 but are not in the answer: 8 + 5 + 15; 8 + 6 + 14; 5 + 6 + 17; 9 + 18 + 1; 9 + 4 + 15.

Where to start: 12 and 3 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 34

The numbers: 8, 14, 5, 6, 11, 18, 20, 2, 17, 9, 19, 7. 6 decoys.

The groups: 8 + 19 + 7, 14 + 18 + 2, 5 + 20 + 9, 6 + 11 + 17.

The decoys — triples that add to 34 but are not in the answer: 8 + 6 + 20; 8 + 17 + 9; 14 + 11 + 9; 5 + 11 + 18; 6 + 9 + 19; 18 + 9 + 7.

Where to start: 2 sits in only one on-target triple, so its group is 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.