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Using Excel to Maximize Multi-Variable Equation

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    Using Excel to Maximize Multi-Variable Equation

    I am not sure how to bets attack this problem without countless hours of trial and error. Hoping some expertise and Excel can help.

    I have 14 variables that I need to add together in order to maximize the sum. The 14 variables cannot add up to over 100 and each variable has a different weight it contributes towards the sum.

    For example, I know that 16,0,5,9,5,9,7,7,7,7,7,4,10,9 = .46 and 0,0,0,0,0,20,0,0,20,20,0,20,20,0 = -.08. I could provide thousands of more patterns their their sums based on trail and error, but I am trying to save time and effort.

    How can I go about trying to figure out which sequence of numbers will yield the highest sum? Is this a way Excel, or another free resource, can help?

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    Re: Using Excel to Maximize Multi-Variable Equation

    So what is the weight of the variables?
    If 16,0,5,9,5,9,7,7,7,7,7,4,10,9 = .46, then what do 16,0,5,9,5,9,7,7,7,7,7,4,10,9 represent?
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    Re: Using Excel to Maximize Multi-Variable Equation

    Weights are approximately as follows:

    A = 3.29
    B = -3.15
    C = .66
    D = 4.64
    E = -.94
    F = 5.53
    G = -.44
    H = -2.24
    I = 1.91
    J = -1.41
    K = .36
    L = .38
    M = -.50
    N = -2.19

    I think the weight may change when used in different combinations. But for simplicity, solving the equation with the above weights should get my closer to a result.

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    Re: Using Excel to Maximize Multi-Variable Equation

    This sounds like just the kind of problem that the build in Solver utility was designed for. You will need to figure out a suitable objective function (the function that you want to maximize) and figure out what you want to use for decision variables. Properly programmed, Solver should be able to help you maximize your function.

    If you are unfamiliar with Excel's Solver utility, you might start here: http://www.solver.com/excel-solver-help
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    Mathematics is the native language of the natural world. Just trying to become literate.

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    Re: Using Excel to Maximize Multi-Variable Equation

    Hi,

    It looks like 100 of variable F gives 553 and that would be the maximum. All other variables would then be zero.
    One test is worth a thousand opinions.
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