If even the first number of the small array could be wrong, how does one determine what the "right" small array is? Is

    @small = @numbers [0 .. $#small];
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a correct solution? If not, why not?

I suggest you specify better how @small should look like - chances are you find a solution before posting the specificiation. And if not, you don't risk that a dozen people suggest answers, all doing something else than what you really want.

Abigail