Split (Up) Into Groups

a) "The class split into small groups."
b) "The class split up into small groups."

I heard of both "split" and "split up" used like they are the same (but are they?). Could they be the same here?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Samantha293

a) "The class split into small groups."
b) "The class split up into small groups."

I heard of both "split" and "split up" used like they are the same (but are they?). Could they be the same here?

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Here, they're the same.