Home : Conditional Variable
Q10459 - INFO: Conditional Variable

In a Math Toolbox equation, designating variables with a V, such as V123, means that a value must exist for it before the equation can calculate.  An equation will not calculate if a value does not exist for every V-type variable used in the equation.  In such case, a blank will be printed in any of the reports for this calculation indicating that there was insufficient data to perform the calculation.

There is another method of designating a variable within an equation - as a conditional variable.  When a variable is declared a conditional variable, it means that if no value presently exists for the variable,  that term is ignored in the equation.  If an equation can be solved adequately without a value for a certain variable, that variable should be designated with a C, such as C124.

Differences between addition using V variables and addition using C variables :

V1

V2

V1+V2

C1+C2

1

2

3

3

-

2

-

2

-

-

-

-

0

2

2

2

0

0

0

0

"-" denotes a blank value

In summary, those variables essential to the calculation of an equation should be given a V-type designation.   Variables not essential to the calculation of the equation should be given a C-type designation.  When using variables in functions (i.e. WAVG, DDIF, ...) refer to help topic on the function to determine when to use a C or a V.

NOTES:

  • When multiplying, dividing, or raising a number by a Conditional reference where the value is blank, the value calculated will be blank and the equation will continue to be evaluated. 
  • When adding or subtracting a Conditional reference to a number when the value is blank will return that number and  the equation will continue to be evaluated.

Examples:

V1

V2

V1*C2

V1*C2

V1 * C2 +10

1

2

2

2

12

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

10

0

0

0

0

10

"-" denotes a blank value

SEE ALSO: IF (Conditional statement)ISBLANK

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Created on 10/1/2007 11:33 AM.
Last Modified on 3/2/2020 11:44 AM.
Last Modified by Scott Dorner.
Article has been viewed 7201 times.
Rated 5 out of 10 based on 4 votes.
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