-
i think that the key is to clearly lable the results. Do you want a ration
of finds to DNFs, or a ratio of DNF to total search event, or a ratio of DNF
to unique caches hunted, etc.
The equation that started this thread was total finds/total DNF logs which
gives the result that should be labled something like X finds per DNFs
logged. (assuming that we can only find a cache once which we all know is
not a true assumption a la Pere Jacques Marquette La Croix 2* *....)
------ Original Message ------
*Received: *Wed, 16 May 2007 07:58:12 PM EDT
*From: *Mike Lusicic <lusicic@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*To: *geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Subject: *[GeoStL] Re: It's not about the numbers, but
- A ratio is not the same as a percentage, although I have not looked into
the specifics of this case, and what they are calling a ratio. A ratio is
either represented by a single number that you get by dividing one number
(A) by another (B). The number represents the ratio of A to B. One example
of where I use that is in one of the calculations I use to help determine of
someone is committing fraud by using their checking account to create
"loans" by taking advantage of using money they deposit into their account
before it is actually collected from the bank where the deposited check is
drawn. I look at the debit to credit ratio, which is the number of
withdrawals (checks) divided by the number of deposits. If I were using a
percentage, I would add the number of deposits and the number of withdrawals
then I would divide either the deposits or the withdrawals by that number to
get a percentage. But what I really want to know is how many checks are
written for each deposit made, and that has nothing to do with the total of
both. The percentage could be used, but it is more indirect and conceptually
more difficult to understand. So it really depends on what you are looking
at and why that determines whether you want to see a ratio or a percentage.
tnsl wrote:
I can't believe this has had several replies and no one has gone into a
long explanation concerning the math.
Is a DNF:Find ratio the same as a percent? And what does that percent
represent? For every one you DO find there are X amount you don't -- but
aren't they all still hunts? Shouldn't you add the DNF + Find and divide
that by the DNF? Or divide the DNF by the Total (DNF+Find)
Then again maybe this is why no one in this family has a hanlering for
those puzzle caches either (unless the answer can be googled lol)
Nancy
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