Sorting 1 column into two

J

jimF

I have a list of numbers in 1 column that total to a specific number. I want
to create two separate columns whose indidvdual totals are as close as
possible to the original total and the two new column lengths are as close as
possible.
 
J

jimF

My single column is a list 20 random entries(in seconds) that total 2000 sec
.. From that single list, I want to create two separate lists that total
close to 1000 seconds each and, if possible, have the two new lists with
close to equal number of entries.
 
C

CLR

So, ideally, you would wind up with two new lists, each of 10 items,
extracted from the 20 item list in column A and each totalling 1000
sec.............is that it?

Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3
 
J

jimF

Correct, that would be ideal with more emphasis on each list totaling 1000
sec and less emphasis. on each being 10 items long.

Thanks for your assistance
 
C

CLR

I was afraid you were going to say that <g>........I don't have a clue how
to do that automatically, but with only a 20 item list, I was able to set up
the three columns and put the =SUM(B1:B20) in cell B21 and =SUM(C1:C20) in
cell C21 and then just moving the values back and forth from column A to
columns B and C to balance B21 and C21.........in my sample it didn't take
too long.

Maybe some "statistical" type guy can see this and give you a better answer.

hth
Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3
 
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