is this possible?

[cliftong]

Forlmula is:

X = (2 x Ablsolute Rank) - 1/ (2 x Class Size)

Here is the question: I have a list of numbers that X equals (if X =.0017 then rank is 80 or X = .0023 then X is 79)

1. can I make a list of these valus of X's for filemaker to reference?

2. can I make filemaker round to the closet value of X; if X is in between one of those numbers I have listed. I hope i made myself clear?::)

[LaRetta]

Absolutely clear. Two questions ...

1) What is Absolute Rank and Class Size? Standard fields, number, text, calculations, aggregate calcs, what?

2) How many values are in the X result. Is there a pattern to the X values or are there illogical breaks?

But yes, everything is possible.

LaRetta

[LaRetta]

I was asking about field types to possibly incorporate that information into a good calculation. But here is something which might give you ideas (assuming these are all number types). Calculation (result of number) would probably need to be unstored:

Let(

X = If( not Absolute Rank or not Class Size ; 0 ;

Round( ( 2 * Absolute Rank) - 1 / ( 2 * Class Size ) ; 4 )

)

;

Case(

X < .0017 ; 80 ;

X < .0023 ; 79 ;

X < .0037 ; 78 ;

X < .0046 ; 77

)

)

I asked about a pattern in the numeric evaluation and the result of X because there is none in my example above (you didn't provide sufficient data in yours to determine one) but if we can find a pattern, you can let FM calculate it (and extend it out) without having to hard-code your numbers in the calc. If there is no pattern or the logic breaks or if your X list is long, I'd recommend using another table with each value as a record and pull that into the calculation.

L

[cliftong]

They are all just numbers not text involved and ther are no patterns unfortunatley.

[cliftong]

The table sounds like a good idea. So it would be like x= value 1 x= value 2 and so on. Then how would i get those numbers that are in between values ? dos filemaker round?

[cliftong]

I took a second look at your first reply, I need to find out from the adminssions office if we give the student the advantage of roung up to the next highest number.

[cliftong]

There are sixty values of X 80 - 20

[SlimJim]

I've read the posts this far, I'm always interested in mathematical problems. I haven't joined in so far because unlike LaRetta, who is clearly in tune with what you are doing, I don't find it absolutely clear. In fact, I am confused.

Is the X that you are calculating

[(2*AbsoluteRank) - 1]/(2*ClassSize)

or is it

(2*AbsoluteRank) - [1/(2*ClassSize)]

It appears to be the second of these but looking at the example values of X and Rank it perhaps is the first.

In your first post you make the statement that if X=.0023 then X = 79 and later you state there are 60 values of X 80-20. Is one of these X's the Absolute Rank? and the other the calculated X? when you say 80-20 do you mean that the values are 80 down to 20 (or 21) or is there another formula in the background which gives you the number of X's as 80-20. Apart from using it in the formula you have given no indication of what ClassSize is. I assume that is also variable.

Feel free to ignore these questions if you wish.

[LaRetta]

Attached is a sample. Note the Rank table added and used within the second calculation. The first calculation is the key in the relationship to Rank and the second calc pulls the rank value. Also note the 0 value in X (as a record in your Rank table). You haven't indicated what to do if someone's score is outside your parameter (or a field is empty) so I added a matching provision to pull in lower or null values). The X relationship should be sorted by the value.

I understand your questions, Jim; I have them also. But it shouldn't matter about Absolute Rank or Class Size (if they are number) EXCEPT that it might be more efficient if we could work that in (and they may cause refresh issues if aggregate, etc). Once we establish the rank relationship, the rest should be easy to fine-tune.

LaRetta

rank.zip

[SlimJim]

An interesting example. I get the feeling that there is something here that I don't know about. Where did you get all those fields in the rank table? Am I looking at a standard calculation within the US education system?

[cliftong]

I Work for the University of Pennsylvania. I think we use a differnet standard?

[cliftong]

The First example you gave is what I am looking for. Iwas given a sheet by our Director with this equation. ( Personally I never knew someone's class renk that was negative or 0.)

Edited October 9, 2005 by Guest

[cliftong]

Okay but maybe I confused you, the decimals are the result of the eqution( It seems that you think that they are the Rank). A students rank is usually Y out of how many senoirs that granduated( i.e 25 out of 314).

I am fairly confident how to achieve this part of the problem becuase it becomes a simple math problem. The Hard part is matching the results to the correct "Converted Rank" List of numbers I have. And dealing with those nubers that fall in between.

Edited October 9, 2005 by Guest

[LaRetta]

If you don't provide real information, you won't get a real solution. But the theory still holds. You originally asked: "can I make a list of these valus of X's for filemaker to reference?" and that is the related X table. The first calc (what I considered Rank), rounds to 4 decimal and determins the resultant X value. Change the Round() to whatever you wish. Then the X relationship pulls the correct number depending upon the result of the first calc. Only you can determine what goes in here. But you must specify the break point between the rank results and selecting the X result (that's why X values are records). The numbers can be anything you wish ... plug in your real data. The 'numbers that fall in between' grab the next lower X because they only relate to one rank record (notice using <= in the relationship).

Either provide real data (with examples of the desire calculation result) or tweak my calcs and data. You aren't helping me help you. Even at this point, you haven't provided me with additional information to help. Ball's still in your court. :wink2:

[LaRetta]

Where did you get all those fields in the rank table?

This is the second post on this subject. I was attempting to pull together his thinking by using information from the other post as well. The records in X are made up (except for the first two) because I needed data to work with and I have nothing to go on. I was hoping to get additional information to solidify the structure and calcs here but I never did, so I just went with what was given me. :crazy2:

[cliftong]

There is a ranking system that Ivy League schools use. http://www.upenn.edu/almanac/v47/n03/RI-athletics.html

It pretty silly but these are the rules that these school use.

Edited October 10, 2005 by Guest

[Our Town]

In a sample software I once reviewed, the programmer had done a little trick so that a user could click on Return/Enter rather than the Okay showing in a Custom Dialogue checkbox and the dialogue box disappeared. At the time I thought it was cute but was looking for another solution and didn't register how to do it. Can't find it now. Anyone know the trick?? I know it can be done because I used it.

Sorry, posted this is wrong place!

Edited October 11, 2005 by Guest

[RalphL]

Pressing the enter key is the same as clicking on the default button in the dialog box. The default button is the first one in the list. So If Okay is the default button pressing the enter key will do the same.