Which of two numbers is closest to the third?

[sycoogtit]

Let's say you have 3 numbers, A, B and C.
A = -105
B = -110
C = -115

You can eyeball those three numbers and see that B is closer to A than
C is, but what's a formula for that? You also have to account for
different signs in the numbers like:

A = 105
B = -101
C = 110

Any clues? I'm stuck and tired of entering this stuff in manually.

[sycoogtit]

I think I got it. Subtract C from both A and B, then whichever of A and B is closer to zero is closer to C. Is that right?

[luigi]

do you need the formula to convert moneylines to percents?

If so here's the formula(s) in excel

sbrmoneylinecoverter.xlsx

[sycoogtit]

Thanks luigi, but no I didn't need that. I was trying to figure out which of the opening and closing pinny lines are closer to my model's projected line.

[Maverick22]

Not sure if I grasp the question. Take your 'focal" number ( For example A )...

x = Abs( abs(a) - abs(b) ) vs y =Abs( abs(a) - abs(c) )

where "abs" = absolute value

Whichever number ( x or y) is lowest represents the number that is closest to (A) on the number line.

Let me know, if i have misunderstood the question.

[sycoogtit]

Yes Mav, I think that's it. That's what I ended up doing and it seems to work. Thanks for the reply.

[therber2]

Not sure if I grasp the question. Take your 'focal" number ( For example A )...

x = Abs( abs(a) - abs(b) ) vs y =Abs( abs(a) - abs(c) )

where "abs" = absolute value

Whichever number ( x or y) is lowest represents the number that is closest to (A) on the number line.

Let me know, if i have misunderstood the question.

Yes this is how I would do it. Good work.

[uva3021]

if you use decimal or percentage as a comparison measure its much easier than american odds

[MonkeyF0cker]

Not sure if I grasp the question. Take your 'focal" number ( For example A )...

x = Abs( abs(a) - abs(b) ) vs y =Abs( abs(a) - abs(c) )

where "abs" = absolute value

Whichever number ( x or y) is lowest represents the number that is closest to (A) on the number line.

Let me know, if i have misunderstood the question.

That formula doesn't work too well if you're looking for the closest number to +104 between -103 and -101.

The easiest method would be (as stated) to convert to another format. If you'd still like the logic for American odds, let us know. It's not entirely difficult, but it's much more cumbersome than the alternatives.

[sycoogtit]

That formula doesn't work too well if you're looking for the closest number to +104 between -103 and -101.

The easiest method would be (as stated) to convert to another format. If you'd still like the logic for American odds, let us know. It's not entirely difficult, but it's much more cumbersome than the alternatives.

Ha! You're right. This what I actually did:

Let A = opening line, i.e. -103
Let B = closing line, i.e. -101
Let C = the line I care about, i.e. +104

=IF(A=B;0;IF(ABS(B-C)<ABS(A-C);-1;1))

Return values:
1 = closing is closer than opening
-1 = opposite, duh
0 = no change