THE NUMBERS, EXPLAINED
How to use this calculator.
Efficiency is shortest valid actions divided by observed actions for successful tasks only. Failed tasks remain in success rate but are excluded from path-efficiency mean.
Start with your inputs
Enter observed action counts by task, shortest valid successful path counts, task success flags (0 or 1). Keep amounts in the units shown on each field. The example is a starting point, not a recommended value.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Observed action counts by task | 5,8,10 |
| Shortest valid successful path counts | 4,4,5 |
| Task success flags (0 or 1) | 1,0,1 |
A worked example
With the example inputs above, excess actions by task is 1, 4, 5. Change the inputs to explore your own scenario.
| Result | Example answer |
|---|---|
| Excess actions by task | 1, 4, 5 |
| Successful-task path efficiencies (%) | 80, Excluded, 50 |
| Mean successful path efficiency (%) | 65 |
| Observed task success (%) | 66.666667 |
How this is calculated
Excess actions by task
Subtract shortest valid path length from observed actions.
Successful-task path efficiencies (%)
Compute ratios for successes and label failures as excluded.
Mean successful path efficiency (%)
Average path efficiencies over successes.
Observed task success (%)
Divide successes by observed tasks.
Symbols and units
- a
- Observed action counts by task
- b
- Shortest valid successful path counts
- c
- Task success flags (0 or 1)
Use the units shown. A list keeps the order in which you enter its values. The symbol ^ means “raised to the power of”.
Assumptions and limits
Efficiency is shortest valid actions divided by observed actions for successful tasks only. Failed tasks remain in success rate but are excluded from path-efficiency mean.
Calculations use the values you enter. Blank or invalid inputs show an error instead of silently substituting zero. Results are displayed to useful precision; calculations retain the underlying numeric precision.
Questions about this tool
What does the result tell me?
Excess actions by task; Successful-task path efficiencies (%); Mean successful path efficiency (%); Observed task success (%). The result applies to the method and inputs described above. Check the units and assumptions before using it in a decision.
Why might another calculator differ?
Differences in units, rounding, timing or model definitions can produce different answers. Compare the input definitions and the method, rather than only the final number. For this tool: Efficiency is shortest valid actions divided by observed actions for successful tasks only. Failed tasks remain in success rate but are excluded from path-efficiency mean.
Are my inputs stored or sent to AI?
Calculations on this page happen in your browser. The separate AI question finder sends its submitted conversation to OpenAI; these calculator fields are not sent. Favourites and recent tool names are stored locally. A shared link contains the inputs you choose to include.
Further reading
Background reading; this does not imply endorsement or independent review of SumFizz.
Review status
Software example and browser checks are recorded in our quality report. No external expert review is claimed. Created with coding assistance; calculations run as ordinary browser code.
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