Number of possible sets within a given number range Topic is solved

[AHKStudent]

For example in prize drawings you might have pick 5 numbers (order does not matter) from 1-45

How would you calculate the possible combinations?

[mikeyww]

Not an AHK question or issue.

45!/5!/40! = 1,221,759

[AHKStudent]

Not an AHK question or issue.

45!/5!/40! = 1,221,759

I am looking to build it using a script, i'd never post random questions here.

[mikeyww]

OK, have fun with it!

Formulas are on the Web if you need them; search for permutations and combinations. I imagine that some people have also already written AHK scripts for this (could search the forum here). Computing a factorial is probably achievable in just a few lines.

Also: https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=76&t=85788

[boiler]

The function for factorial itself is indeed short. The problem is you can't just simply calculate the factorial of everything because the numbers get too large. However, we can take advantage of a lot of canceling in the fraction (e.g., 45! / 40! = 45 x 44 x 43 x 42 x 41) to keep the numbers smaller:

Code: Select all

MsgBox, % Combinations(45, 5)
return

Combinations(n, k) {
	return NFactDivNMinKFact(n, k) / Factorial(k)
}

Factorial(n) {
	return n < 3 ? n : n * Factorial(n - 1)
}


NFactDivNMinKFact(n, k) {
	f := n
	loop, % k - 1
		f := f * (n - A_Index)
	return f
}

[AHKStudent]

The function for factorial itself is indeed short. The problem is you can't just simply calculate the factorial of everything because the numbers get too large. However, we can take advantage of a lot of canceling in the fraction (e.g., 45! / 40! = 45 x 44 x 43 x 42 x 41) to keep the numbers smaller:

Code: Select all

MsgBox, % Combinations(45, 5)
return

Combinations(n, k) {
	return NFactDivNMinKFact(n, k) / Factorial(k)
}

Factorial(n) {
	return n < 3 ? n : n * Factorial(n - 1)
}


NFactDivNMinKFact(n, k) {
	f := n
	loop, % k - 1
		f := f * (n - A_Index)
	return f
}

thanks, I was using this to test http://www.webmath.com/lottery.html your function is exactly like that, I just added round.

Code: Select all

MsgBox, % Round(Combinations(35, 5))

thank you

[boiler]

No problem. You can just make the function round it so you just simply call the function, like this:

Code: Select all

MsgBox, % Combinations(45, 5)
return

Combinations(n, k) {
	return Round(NFactDivNMinKFact(n, k) / Factorial(k))
}

Factorial(n) {
	return n < 3 ? n : n * Factorial(n - 1)
}


NFactDivNMinKFact(n, k) {
	f := n
	loop, % k - 1
		f := f * (n - A_Index)
	return f
}