Icon Flip

[efklind]

I need Excel to select a value depending on a random coin flip. The values are: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ... through 95. The beginning number is always 10. If the coin returns tails the number returned will always increment one level (plus 5, but never greater than 95). If the coin returns heads the number returned will always decrement one level (minus 5, but never less than 5). However, if the coin returns heads two out of any three consecutive tosses the number will be set to 10 and everything starts over.

I'd like to perform this with INDEX/MATCH or VLOOKUP if possible. I've been able to get most of it, but the "two out of any three consecutive tosses" has got me stumped.

Thanx,

Ken

[AliGW]

Welcome to the forum!

Please attach what you have managed so far.

1. Make sure that your sample data are REPRESENTATIVE of your real data. The use of unrepresentative data is very frustrating and can lead to long delays in reaching a solution.

2. Make sure that your desired solution is also shown (mock up the results manually).

3. Make sure that all confidential data is removed or replaced with dummy data first (e.g. names, addresses, E-mails, etc.).

4. Try to avoid using merged cells as they cause lots of problems.

Unfortunately the attachment icon doesn't work at the moment, so to attach an Excel file you have to do the following: just before posting, scroll down to Go Advanced and then scroll down to Manage Attachments. Now follow the instructions at the top of that screen.

Please pay particular attention to point 2 (above): without an idea of your intended outcomes, it is often very difficult to offer appropriate advice.

[efklind]

What I have is a mess... and it doesn't work. All I have accomplished is a rudimentary look table.

[AliGW]

Nonetheless, please share it. You have everything but the two out of three consecutive coin tosses.

[Andy Pope]

Maybe I've not understood your question properly but can this not be done with a formula. No lookups or indexing required.

The flip value would be in column B and the tally would be in column C.
=IF(COUNTIF(B3:B5,0)=2,10,IF(B5=1,MIN(C4+5,95),MAX(C4-5,-5)))

[josephteh]

Cell C5 = IF(AND(COUNTIF(B3:B5,0)>=2,B5=0),10,IF(B5=1,MIN(C4+5,95),MAX(C4-5,-5)))

[AliGW]

Rule 08: Cross-posting Without Links

Your post does not comply with Rule 8 of our Forum RULES. Do not cross-post your question on multiple forums without including links here to the other threads on other forums.

Cross-posting is when you post the same question in other forums on the web. The last thing you want to do is waste people's time working on an issue you have already resolved elsewhere. We prefer that you not cross-post at all, but if you do (and it's unlikely to go unnoticed), you MUST provide a link (copy the url from the address bar in your browser) to the cross-post.

Expect cross-posted questions without a link to be closed and a message will be posted by the moderator explaining why. We are here to help so help us to help you!

Read this to understand why we ask you to do this, and then please edit your first post to include links to any and all cross-posts in any other forums (not just this site).

No further help to be offered, please, until the OP has complied with this request.

[efklind]

Can't stand independent competition? OK, let's all go out and slow down progress...

[AliGW]

The same rule applies on all other forums where I have seen you post the same query. As your comment here suggests that you are unwilling to abide by our forum rules, I am closing this thread.