Random selection of items from a group (AQL sampling)

S

ScottDL

Has anyone developed a formula for selecting random items from a group?

Given the size of the group "G" and the number of samples "S" required to be selected from it, I want to create an ordered list of randomly selected sequence numbers from G up to the total number of S with each selection being excluded from subsequent selections. (Just like picking numbered ping-pong balls from a bag, once selected that number is no longer available to be selected.

Example: I have a group size of 100 units. I want to randomly select 10 units from the sequence of 1-100. The output I want might be something like


1
2
2
3
6
7
7
8
9

This would be a supposedly random selection of 10 unique sequence numbers from the group of 100 units

If anyone has a solution, please let me know

Thanks,
Scott
 
T

Tom Ogilvy

put the numbers 1 to 100 in A1:A100
in B1 put in
=rand()
drag fill down to B100
Select A1:B100 and sort on column B.

Select A1:A10 and sort again on column A.

Those are you 10 balls.

--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy
ScottDL said:
Has anyone developed a formula for selecting random items from a group?

Given the size of the group "G" and the number of samples "S" required to
Click to expand...
be selected from it, I want to create an ordered list of randomly selected
sequence numbers from G up to the total number of S with each selection
being excluded from subsequent selections. (Just like picking numbered
ping-pong balls from a bag, once selected that number is no longer available
to be selected.)
Example: I have a group size of 100 units. I want to randomly select 10
Click to expand...
units from the sequence of 1-100. The output I want might be something
like:
 
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