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Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

  1. #1
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    Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    Hello!
    Newbie and Luddite here for your entertainment.

    I used to use Excel quite a bit but it's been many years and the part of my brain used for that kind of thing has since been filled with stuff like sitting at red lights, repairing disposals, talking anxious people down off cliffs, etc... So, I'm fairly confident that what I'm asking is extremely easy to do, but I just don't recall how to do it. Any assistance would be appreciated.

    Here's what I'd like to do:
    Have 10 columns... one column would be for the "1s", another for the "2s", another for the "3s", etc...
    But I don't want to have them in straight order (i.e. 1 x 1 =, 1 x 2 =, 1 x 3 =, etc...) because the pattern is easily memorized, no matter what number he's working on.
    I'd like to be able to hit a button (or something) and have each column shuffle (or randomize) the order in which the equations will be displayed.
    So, a column might come up 3 x 6 =, 3 x 9 =, 3 x 1 =, 3 x 4 =, etc...
    And next time it might come up 3 x 5 =, 3 x 2 =, 3 x 4 =, etc...
    This way he won't be able to memorize any patterns and he'll actually need to learn his multiplication tables.

    I just don't know how to go about this. Looking forward to your responses. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    First, I recommend just going on the web and searching for online lessons for multiplication. There are many free, and likely more engaging than an excel spreadsheet, 'games' to help with this.

    If you are determined to use Excel, then I don't quite follow your format. I am picturing a 'classic' multiplication table with a column (A2:A11) for the ten multiplicands and a row(B1:K1) for the ten multipliers, then the 100 cells within that row and column 'matrix' (B2:K11) are the various results of multiplying the multiplicand from the row and multiplier from the column.

    Are you just asking to randomize those multiplicand and multiplier numbers, then your son would work through the 100 answers?

    I dunno - sounds like formatting is just one of the issues, but that is an easy one.

    Shuffling is not an Excel function. You would have to use VBA. So for this simple spreadsheet, I recommend using RANDBETWEEN. You give it two numbers and it spits out a random integer between them (inclusive).

    The 'problem' is that the random number generator generally runs everytime a cell changes. So, if you want your son to type in the answers, you will need to turn off automatic workbook calculation.
    Pauley
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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    OK... Yes... We've used several Multiplication "Apps" and "Games", etc... I'd kinda like to do it on Excel for several reasons...
    One of those reasons is to dip my toes back in the water a bit and re-learn some "stuff"

    As for Formatting... there's really no reason for "1s" and "10s"... So...

    http://http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o88/pharmericky/Mult_zps00c5f3c1.png

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    Quote Originally Posted by Pauleyb View Post
    First, I recommend just going on the web and searching for online lessons for multiplication. There are many free, and likely more engaging than an excel spreadsheet, 'games' to help with this.

    Shuffling is not an Excel function. You would have to use VBA. So for this simple spreadsheet, I recommend using RANDBETWEEN. You give it two numbers and it spits out a random integer between them (inclusive).
    What he said is perfect.

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    OK... Randbetween... I can handle that, I think.
    I'll fiddle around and see what happens, then report back.

    Just one question... Let's say I have numbers 1 through 10... and I use RANDBETWEEN...
    Will I be able to fill 10 cells without any number repeating?

    Thanks!

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    Here, play round with this.

    Multiplication.xlsx

    The problem is you have to copy and paste the values so the ranndom function doesnt keep changing the numbers each time you hit a number.
    I would be super easy to create a macro to randomize the sheet one you have the layout down.

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    Do you think I could use a bunch of IF THEN statements to achieve this?

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    To achieve what? ...and either way I think you are trying too hard for such a simple task.

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    Well... I did open with: "Newbie and Luddite here for your entertainment", so...

    Did you see the link to the image I posted?

    I'll work on it... you've given me an idea or two...

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    Hi ebrew,

    While I totally agree with Pauleyb and mikeTRON this caught my interest so I thought I'd build a macro for you.

    Just press the Prepare Tables button to produce a shuffled, unique list of 12 numbers in the ten factor columns (C, I, O, U, AA, AG, AM, AS, AY, BE).

    Regards,

    Robert
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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    Thank you very much! That's extremely kind of you.

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    You're welcome

    If you could mark the thread as solved it would be appreciated.

    Regards,

    Robert

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    ... Would love to do that... Where do I click?

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    Haha, I would have created a macro liek Trebor, if it was my project and I had that much interest. LOL

    He also has a link in his sig on reputation and marking a thread as solved.

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    I clicked "Add Reputation" and followed the promts... Is that sufficient?

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    I would imagine the forum prefers you mark the thread as SOLVED.
    Please ensure you mark your thread as Solved once it is. Click here to see how.
    If a post helps, please don't forget to add to our reputation by clicking the star icon in the bottom left-hand corner of a post.

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    Re: Need Help Creating Random Multiplication Table Problems For My Son

    I would imagine the forum prefers you mark the thread as SOLVED.
    Well said mikeTRON!! While I appreciate you adding to my reputation , if you could mark the thread as solved (there's a link in either my or mikeTRON's signature) it would be appreciated.

    Regards,

    Robert

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