What is the Equation for Calculating Probability in a Specific Range?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding an equation to calculate probability within a specific range, particularly in the context of the Elo Rating System. Participants explore various mathematical approaches and seek clarification on the problem's requirements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, Dave, seeks guidance on calculating probability for a specific range using sample values but is unclear on the exact nature of his question.
  • Another participant questions the clarity of the problem, asking for more details about what is meant by "finding probability in numbers for a specific range" and the significance of the provided sample values.
  • A different participant introduces the Elo Rating System as a context for calculating the probability of outcomes between two players, mentioning their experimentation with logarithmic functions in Excel.
  • Another reply suggests that a logarithmic function may not achieve the desired horizontal asymptote at y=1, proposing an alternative function, f(x) = (x+1)/(x+2), which does have such an asymptote.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple competing views regarding the appropriate mathematical approach to calculating probability, and there is no consensus on the exact requirements or methods to be used.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions and parameters of the problem, particularly regarding the sample values and the desired characteristics of the probability function.

dave2118
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Hello

I'm trying to remember back to my high school / college days and have no idea where to start.

Basically, I'm trying to find probability in numbers for a specific range. I'd like to figure out an equation so I can plug it into software. Here are my sample values below:

0,36
100,55
200,66
300,80
400,97
700,99
800,99.3

So this line will basically never hit 1. I can't for the life of me figure out what to search for on google for this, I remember doing something easy back in school, but it's been a good 20 years, and actually need to use it.

Any direction would be great.

Dave
 
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What's the exact problem? I can't really tell what your question is. What does it mean to "find probability in numbers for a specific range"? What are those sample values you listed? What exactly are you trying to find the probability of? etc..
 
There's a system called the Elo Rating System (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elo_rating_system). I'm trying to figure out the probability of Player A vs Player B. I played around in excel using Ln which is sort of what I'm looking for based off of a table similar to http://www.ascotti.org/programming/chess/elo.htm

I was hoping to simplify it the best I could.
 
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If you really want there to be a horizontal asymptote at y=1, log won't do the trick since it's unbounded. Maybe something more along the lines of
[tex] f(x) = \frac{x+1}{x+2} = 1 - \frac{1}{x+2}[/tex]
would work, since it does have a horizontal asymptote.
 

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