i have a chart with 4 columns that i want to use to create a random output combining one field from each column.

i would prefer to either use excel or a program on my TI-83 or 89

any suggestions?

9/30/2005 4:45:45 PM

there is not such thing as a random number.

9/30/2005 4:50:05 PM

=rand()

=(A1+B1+C1+D1)*rand()

9/30/2005 4:50:41 PM

^^6

this is the chart:

http://www.areforum.org/guest/Z%20misc%20files/comic%20relief%20archispeak.pdf

i think its self-explanatory when you look at it

[Edited on September 30, 2005 at 4:52 PM. Reason : .]

9/30/2005 4:51:01 PM

we're surrounded by random numbers

the trick is catching one

9/30/2005 4:52:49 PM

Quote :

"=(A1+B1+C1+D1)*rand()"

thats getting there

i guess i could do A(rand)+B(rand)...

is it possible to make sure the rand is an integer from 1 to 10?

9/30/2005 5:07:18 PM

0.1883887310936866514215284935771538469299789116654955734276670378861146638461856111821872886594234965976983

9/30/2005 5:08:09 PM

no, rand doesn't do integers...it does a random number between 0 and 1...I would say you're going to have to use a combination of rand and vlookup to do this

for example, have a cell with a rand in it, then do 10 columns with intervals like .05, .15, .25, etc, have each of those cells next to the first row of phrases. use vlookup to use the rand as a reference cell, look up the value in the column of numbers you made, and return the phrase if the rand is less than the number you have next to the cell (and you have true in the final field of vlookup so it rounds to closest).

repeat three more times for each column and output to get a phrase

Don't know if that makes sense to you or not

[Edited on September 30, 2005 at 5:16 PM. Reason : .]

9/30/2005 5:10:43 PM

You can install the Analysis Toolbox and get a function =RANDBETWEEN(min,max)

It's under Tools -> Addons

[Edited on September 30, 2005 at 5:14 PM. Reason : i think]

9/30/2005 5:13:49 PM

^^ the TI Calcs will do the same thing. Be sure to multiply it to move the decimal and you will need to round off to get an integer.

Quote :

"there is not such thing as a random number."

-- seedless

You only think that because you are missing the seed.

/ nerd humor
// if you want to call that humor
/// even with a seed number its still really not random

[Edited on September 30, 2005 at 5:17 PM. Reason : ehe]

9/30/2005 5:14:39 PM

http://www.random.org

entropy of 7.9999 is pretty damn random

9/30/2005 5:19:14 PM

looks like i have a fun weekend ahead

9/30/2005 5:24:37 PM

ok, i figured it out with a quick test

you're 10 rows in a column of numbers are going to be 0, .1, .2, .3, .4, .5, .6, .7, .8, .9
have those numbers in front of each column of words

do the =rand() in a cell below that column, repeat for all 4 columns

put your vlookup below the =rand()

your vlookup will look like this =vlookup(A11,A1:B10,2,true)...this assumes that you put the 0 in cell A1, your first phrase in cell B2, your =rand() in cell A11

if you're going to copy and paste it, make sure you lock the A1:B10 with F4 (it'll look like $A$1:$B$10)

repeat under each column, perfection

if you want, I can e-mail you an example spreadsheet

edit: actually, you can't lock and drag, as the rand won't change and each row will give the same phrase back to you. you could do another rand function to rand the rand in each subsquent row of phrases

[Edited on September 30, 2005 at 5:26 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on September 30, 2005 at 5:31 PM. Reason : .]

9/30/2005 5:26:14 PM

^awesome! pm sent

10/1/2005 12:44:50 AM

file sent - hit me up with questions

10/1/2005 1:14:24 AM

^you the man

on a related note:

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10/1/2005 1:38:31 AM

all u have to do is ask me. i'll send you a random number at $.05 / number.

to start things off:
3258926436

10/1/2005 5:04:05 PM

Quote :

"there is not such thing as a random number."

10/1/2005 5:20:47 PM