Using Solver

[DCRAIG3389]

Hello,
I have a solver equation that is finding the min value on almost 20 different numbers based on multiple constrains. however I only want it to find the min based on numbers I have checked. is it possible to do this?

[MrShorty]

Useless answer -- Yes. I am optimistic that, with enough time, effort, and ingenuity, it is possible to do what you describe.

Beyond that I am having difficulty visualizing what you are trying to do. Can you provide an example?

I would expect that this might be most easily done as part of the spreadsheet formulas that feed the Solver model. I might expect something like:

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Does that help at all?

[DCRAIG3389]

I already have them marked with yes or know. but how would i apply the solver function to use only the Y marked variables.

[DCRAIG3389]

sorry, yes or no.

[MrShorty]

That is what the IF() function should be doing in the illustration that I gave. Did you understand that IF() function and how it was being used to remove decision variables from the spreadsheet calculations?

[DCRAIG3389]

I am not sure I understand the format of this function. I understand an if function, but I have a list of products in column 1 and their values in column 2. The solver is to minimize the total value by meeting certain constraints and adjust the volumes of each in column 3.

[MrShorty]

I think I am getting a little bit less fuzzy idea of what you are doing, though I am still not sure what you are stuck on.

Based on what you have described up to now, I would expect a spreadsheet that looks kind of like:

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Then, your Solver model looks like "Set Target Cell -- objective function" "to a minimum" "By changing C2:C10" "subject to the necessary constraints". Does that help explain how my IF() function fits into the overall scheme?

[DCRAIG3389]

Ahhhhh, i understand now. thanks! very helpful!