[RESOLVED] Find Closest Match

[mjenkinson05]

I have a list of numbers:

100,125,150,175,200,225,250,300,350,400,450,500,600,700,800,900,1000

I do some maths and get a result. I need to workout somehow which one of those numbers above is closest to the RESULT number.

For example if the result was 620 it would be closer to 600 but if it was 678 it would be closer to 700.

Any suggestions?

[MaximilianMayrhofer]

Sort + modified binary search.

If you want something better, then by all means supply more information about the 'some maths' that you're planning to do.

[techgnome]

How the number is arrived at is irrelevant... what is relevant is the result: 620....

To get the closest number first you need to find the two numbers on either end... which should be simple with a binary search, or a simple loop until where valueArray(i) <= 620 and valueArray(i+1) > 620.... that gives you the 600 and 700... Then all you need to do is take the difference between your end numbers and your number and the one with the lowest difference is your closer number.
620 - 600 = 20
700- 620 = 80
since 20 < 80... 600 is your closer number.

-tg

[dbasnett]

        'create list of numbers
        Dim lstOnums As New List(Of Integer)
        lstOnums.AddRange(New Integer() {100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000})

        'add result to the list, and sort
        Dim rslt As Integer = 620
        lstOnums.Add(rslt)
        lstOnums.Sort()

        'get the index of the result.  
        Dim idx As Integer = lstOnums.IndexOf(rslt)
        'a couple of checks here and you should have your answer

[.paul.]

try this:

Public Class Form1
 
    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        Dim numbers() As Integer = {100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000}
        Dim closest As Integer
        Dim closestDifference As Integer = Integer.MaxValue
        Dim inputNumber As Integer
        If Integer.TryParse(TextBox1.Text, inputNumber) Then
            For x As Integer = 0 To numbers.GetUpperBound(0)
                If Math.Abs(inputNumber - numbers(x)) < closestDifference Then
                    closestDifference = Math.Abs(inputNumber - numbers(x))
                    closest = numbers(x)
                End If
            Next
            MsgBox(closest)
        End If
    End Sub
 
End Class

[MaximilianMayrhofer]

How the number is arrived at is irrelevant... what is relevant is the result: 620....

That's a little short-sighted. How the number is reached is NOT irrelevant if the closest number can be determined within the algorithm that creates the result. This can potentially reduce complexity from O(n) to O(log_n), which is significant for larger data sets.

[techgnome]

The user enters the number.
The user enters a number, and it's doubled.
It generates a random number between 1 and 12million, the ARC and COS is taken, summed, squared, cubed-root.

If the requirement it to take a number as an input and, given a set of other numbers, find the closest... do we care how that input number was derived? maybe in the large scheme things, but for the sake of arguement, let's say that this "nearest" function IS being inserted in to said algorithm you mentioned... after all... that IS what we are trying to do here, right? find the closest number? for purposes of the function, we don't care how it gets called or where from. All the function should be concerned about is, given a set of numbers, and an input number, find the closest from the list.

-tg

[dbasnett]

Module module1

    Dim aRnd As New Random
    Public Sub Main()
        'this
        'lstOnums.AddRange(New Integer() {100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000})
        'or this
        For x As Integer = 100 To 1000 Step 25
            lstOnums.Add(x)
        Next
        '
        '
        Dim rslt As Integer = 100
        Console.WriteLine("The closest to {0} is {1}", rslt, closest(rslt))
        rslt = 1000
        Console.WriteLine("The closest to {0} is {1}", rslt, closest(rslt))
        Dim stpw As New Stopwatch
        For x As Integer = 1 To 20
            rslt = aRnd.Next(100, 1001)
            stpw.Reset()
            stpw.Start()
            Dim clsts As Integer = closest(rslt)
            stpw.Stop()
            Console.WriteLine("The closest to {0} is {1}   in {2} ticks", rslt, clsts, stpw.ElapsedTicks)
        Next
        Console.ReadLine()
    End Sub 'Main

    Dim lstOnums As New List(Of Integer)

    Private Function closest(ByVal rslt As Integer) As Integer
        'create list of numbers

        'add result to the list, and sort
        lstOnums.Add(rslt)
        lstOnums.Sort()

        'get the index of the result.  
        Dim idx As Integer = lstOnums.IndexOf(rslt)

        'a couple of checks here and you should have your answer
        Dim rv As Integer
        If idx = 0 Then 'is it first item in list
            rv = lstOnums(1)
        Else 'determine which neighbor is closest
            Dim dl As Integer = lstOnums(idx) - lstOnums(idx - 1)
            Dim dh As Integer = lstOnums(idx + 1) - lstOnums(idx)
            If dl >= dh Then rv = lstOnums(idx + 1) Else rv = lstOnums(idx - 1)
        End If
        lstOnums.RemoveAt(idx) 'remove the number we added
        Return rv
    End Function
End Module

[minitech]

Well, is the array originally sorted? Sorting it, then performing a binary search would be less efficient than just looping through like .paul. did...

[mjenkinson05]

This works perfectly! Thank you!!!

try this:

Public Class Form1
 
    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        Dim numbers() As Integer = {100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000}
        Dim closest As Integer
        Dim closestDifference As Integer = Integer.MaxValue
        Dim inputNumber As Integer
        If Integer.TryParse(TextBox1.Text, inputNumber) Then
            For x As Integer = 0 To numbers.GetUpperBound(0)
                If Math.Abs(inputNumber - numbers(x)) < closestDifference Then
                    closestDifference = Math.Abs(inputNumber - numbers(x))
                    closest = numbers(x)
                End If
            Next
            MsgBox(closest)
        End If
    End Sub
 
End Class