# Thread: Percentage with positive and negative numbers

1. ## Percentage with positive and negative numbers

Hello,

This is my first post on the forum. I've been grapling with this for days and am glad I found this forum.

My math problem is this. I need a formula to calculate percentages of a numbers range with negative numbers. More specifically, I'm using golf scores and need to calculate percentage as a range of scores for a given round.

For example if -8 is the low round and +8 is the high round, I need all other scores as a percentage. How can I express this in excel with a formula?

I know -8 would be 1.000% and +8 .000% but how do I formulate all the other scores in between?

Thank you so much in advance.

Erik

2. ## Re: Percentage with positive and negative numbers

what would a score of 100% represent? ... 8 strokes above par? what does that number say that "8 strokes over par" doesn't?

you could use percentages in a more clear/understandable manner if you used them in the following manner ...

1. percentage of the field scoring below par / above par

2. percentage of the field who scored within 2 or less / more strokes of par

... lots of other practical examples can be devised. the point is, percentages are more meaningful when they are used for the basis of a comparison.

3. ## Re: Percentage with positive and negative numbers

Thanks for the reply. It needs to be a percentage for a comparison ranking I'm using. It looks at round scores for all golfers in the field and gives them a percentage based on the best score for that round.

I figure the answer lies in getting the range between the best and worst scores of the specific round but I just don't know how to write the formula to derive the percentage.

4. ## Re: Percentage with positive and negative numbers

Thanks for the reply. It needs to be a percentage for a comparison ranking I'm using. It looks at round scores for all golfers in the field and gives them a percentage based on the best score for that round.

I figure the answer lies in getting the range between the best and worst scores of the specific round but I just don't know how to write the formula to derive the percentage.
see if this works ...

let $w$ represent the worst score and $b$ represent the best score

to get a linear relationship ...

$(w,0)$ $(b,100)$

$y = \frac{100}{b-w}(x - w)$

where $y$ = the desired percentage "score" , and $x$ = a specific golfer's score in terms of par (+ over , - under)

so, let's say for a certain round the best score is b = -8 and the worst score is w = +6

you have a golfer who scores 1 over par (+1)

$y = \frac{100}{-8 - 6}(1 - 6)$

$y$ = 35.7%

5. ## Re: Percentage with positive and negative numbers

That's brilliant! That's exactly what i was looking for. Thank you.