Split #42 — the solution

The three rounds from November 10, 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 35

The numbers: 17, 20, 8, 3, 7, 16, 6, 19, 1, 18, 12, 13. 3 decoys.

The groups: 17 + 6 + 12, 20 + 8 + 7, 3 + 19 + 13, 16 + 1 + 18.

The decoys — triples that add to 35 but are not in the answer: 20 + 3 + 12; 7 + 16 + 12; 16 + 6 + 13.

Where to start: 17, 8, 19, 1 and 18 sit in only one on-target triple, so their groups are certain — start there.

Round 2 — target 33

The numbers: 15, 12, 17, 11, 13, 7, 19, 20, 3, 2, 9, 4. 5 decoys.

The groups: 15 + 11 + 7, 12 + 19 + 2, 17 + 13 + 3, 20 + 9 + 4.

The decoys — triples that add to 33 but are not in the answer: 12 + 17 + 4; 17 + 7 + 9; 11 + 13 + 9; 11 + 19 + 3; 11 + 20 + 2.

Where to start: 15 sits in only one on-target triple, so its group is certain — start there.

Round 3 — target 35

The numbers: 13, 1, 9, 20, 17, 14, 10, 8, 12, 15, 3, 18. 6 decoys.

The groups: 13 + 10 + 12, 1 + 20 + 14, 9 + 8 + 18, 17 + 15 + 3.

The decoys — triples that add to 35 but are not in the answer: 13 + 14 + 8; 9 + 14 + 12; 20 + 12 + 3; 17 + 10 + 8; 14 + 3 + 18; 8 + 12 + 15.

Where to start: 1 sits in only one on-target triple, so its group is certain — start there.

Previous: Split #41 (Mon, Nov 9) · Next: Split #43 (Wed, Nov 11) · 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.