Formula for Counting Age based on a scale

[mlbdc2012]

In my attached worksheet, I have a list of 6 names with an age attached using a decimal. I want the person's age to pull a point total based on the scale in columns E and F. I want it to include the decimals of the age when factoring in. So a name with an age of 26.1 is not the same as an age of 26.4 even though only the age 26 is listed a whole in the scale.

Please let me know if there are any questions. Thanks!

[MarvinP]

Hi mlbcd,

What you are asking for is called interpolation. That means you can take the two closest points and interpolate between them to estimate the fractional amount. The problem with your example above is the line is flat (zero) between the points you give. That means that 26.1 WILL be the same value as 26.4.

[mlbdc2012]

Hi mlbcd,

What you are asking for is called interpolation. That means you can take the two closest points and interpolate between them to estimate the fractional amount. The problem with your example above is the line is flat (zero) between the points you give. That means that 26.1 WILL be the same value as 26.4.

Ok that's fine, I would just like it to understand the cutoff point, so 26 is not the same as 27.

[MarvinP]

Hi,

Upon drawing the curve for your age vs points graph, it looks like some sort of parabola to me. It also seems the vertex is somewhere between 28 and 29. If I knew how, I'd draw a Least Squares Parabola that got as close to your points as possible. Some thing like y = -(X - 28.5)^2 - ??. I'd then use this curve for your data instead of the sample you have. Perhaps that would give you a better "cutoff point".

[mlbdc2012]

So age 26-30 would be flat if I was drawing it on a piece of paper, those ages should all have zero points, anything before 26 or after 30 will have a decline based on the points scale. Does that make sense?

[MarvinP]

That makes perfect sense to me. Because I'm a "math guy" I'd like to see the formula that gave you your data and then use it for all the "in between" points. That is where I wanted a formula that fit "most closely" to your points. That was my upside down parabola. I'm not smart enough to night to give you the equation to it. Maybe one of the smart guru's can find it....

Look on the net at http://www.had2know.com/academics/qu...alculator.html
and plug in your points and it will give you what I'm thinking of.

Using the above web site it gives this formula for your points

y = -0.4516x^2 + 26.0635x - 370.9715

Plug your 26.1 and other age and see what the above equation gives for the y (points) value.
That would be my guess, and final answer (as far as I understand the problem).