Numeric Variance Type
Use Numeric Variance to output randomized numbers.
Set the options to alter numeric input data based on a numeric variance type (percentage, fixed number, or within a range).
When using the percentage and fixed number options, the application generates an internal calculation based on the variance number. For example, if you have an input value of "10,000" and select to vary by 25 percent, then the calculated minimum and maximum values are 7500 and 12500, respectively. If you have set a user-defined minimum value of 9500 (within the calculated minimum value), and a user-defined maximum value of 15000 (outside the calculated maximum value), then the new valid range is 7500 (the user-defined minimum) through 12500 (the internally calculated maximum value).
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Variance Type |
Define how you want to vary a number. Percentage: Varies the data by a percentage that is within a calculated minimum and maximum range. Fixed number: Varies the data by a fixed number that is within a calculated minimum and maximum range. Range: Varies the data that is greater than or equal to the user-defined minimum value and less than or equal to the user-defined maximum values that you set. You must set the minimum and maximum values. |
| Variance | Required for the variance types (percentage and fixed number). Determines the number by which to randomize the input. Enter a value greater than zero. |
| Minimum value | Required for range variance, and optional for percentage and fixed number variance types. Enter a value as a whole number or decimal. For best results, set a realistic minimum value. |
| Maximum value | Required for range variance, and optional for percentage and fixed number variance types. Enter a value as a whole number or decimal. For best results, set a realistic maximum value. |
Example
The following table shows several examples for one salary value in a database: $50,000. The examples help to illustrate how the value is calculated internally, and how it is output when the user-defined minimum and maximum values are used together.
| Variance Type | Internally calculated value | Output value is within this range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Percentage Variance: 25 Minimum value: <not set> Maximum value: <not set> |
Min value: $37,500 Max value: $62,500 |
Min value: $37,500 Max value: $62,500 |
The output uses the internally calculated values, because the user-defined values are not specified. |
|
Percentage Variance: 25 Minimum value: 45,000 Maximum value: 85,000 |
Min value: $37,500 Max value: $62,500 |
Min value: $45, 00 Max value: $62,500 |
The user-defined minimum value is within the calculated variance, and is the value used for output. The maximum user-defined date is outside of the calculated variance. Therefore, the maximum calculated value is used. |
|
Fixed number Variance: 2500 Minimum value: <not set> Maximum value: <not set> |
Min value: $47,500 Max value: $52,500 |
Min value: $47,500 Max value: $52,500 |
The output uses the internally calculated values, because the user-defined values are not specified. |
|
Fixed number Variance: 2500 Minimum value: 45,000 Maximum value: 85,000 |
Min value: $47,500 Max value: $52,500 |
Min value: $47,500 Max value: $52,500 |
Both the user-defined minimum and maximum values are outside of the calculated variance. Therefore, the calculated minimum and maximum values are used. |
|
Range Minimum value: 55,000 Maximum value: 95,000 |
n/a |
Minimum value: 55,000 Maximum value: 95,000 |
Because there is no variance for range, only the user-defined minimum and maximum values are used. |
