Challenge difficulty - Revision history

3305483: Refactored (and corrected) the math

2026-05-19T07:55:36Z

Refactored (and corrected) the math

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:55, 19 May 2026
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	==How is it calculated?==		==How is it calculated?==
	Basically the ''Challenge difficulty'' tells us what proportion of [[Geocacher]]s fulfill a challenge or not. The rating is an integer between 0 and 100, but should not be confused with percent. First off it's important to understand that the automatic challenge checker runs aren't automatically executed on the average [[Geocacher]], but more likely on the more hardcore [[Geocacher]]s. It's primarily executed on [[Geocacher]]s with more finds, regular users of [[Project-GC]] and also [[Paid membership\|paid members]] of the site. With this in mind we know that the result isn't representing the average geocacher, on the other hand, challenges generally aren't targeting the average geocacher either.

	~~The [[Challenge checker]] results are dividing into three categories:~~		Basically the ''Challenge difficulty'' tells us what proportion of [[Geocacher]]s fulfill a [[Challenge]] or not. The rating is an integer between 0 and 100, where higher means harder, but should not be confused with percent.
	* Region - [[Geocacher]]s that are determined to live in the ~~same~~ '''~~region~~'~~'' as the [[Challenge]] itself.~~
	* Country - [[Geocacher]]s ~~that are determined to live in the same '''country''' as the~~ [[Challenge]] ~~itself~~, but not ~~in the same region~~.
	* World - All others

	~~For each category a percentage of how many fulfill~~ the [[Challenge]] ~~is calculated. Then~~ the ~~results for each group is weighted different in~~ the ~~calculations~~, ~~basically a list is created~~ and the ~~percentages are added into~~ that ~~list. A fourth factor is also added into~~ the ~~mix~~, the ~~number of finds per day~~.		First off it's important to understand that the automatic [[Challenge checker]] runs aren't automatically executed on the average [[Geocacher]], but more likely on the more hardcore [[Geocacher]]s. It's primarily executed on [[Geocacher]]s with more finds, regular users of [[Project-GC]] and also [[Paid membership\|paid members]] of the site. With this in mind we know that the result isn't representing the average geocacher, on the other hand, challenges generally aren't targeting the average geocacher either.

	~~The number~~ of finds ~~per day isn~~'t ~~used~~ as the ~~raw number itself, but rather as~~ '(1-(~~$numFinds/$daysOld)~~)*~~100~~'.		For each [[Challenge]] we look at the [[Challenge checker]] runs across three nested groups of [[Geocacher]]s, based on where [[Project-GC]] believes each [[Geocacher]] lives (typically inferred from their finds - we don't actually know):
			* '''Region''' - [[Geocacher]]s determined to live in the same region as the [[Challenge]].
			* '''Country''' - [[Geocacher]]s determined to live in the same country as the [[Challenge]] (this also includes those counted under Region).
			* '''World''' - all [[Geocacher]]s (this also includes those counted under Country and Region).

	~~Then~~ the ~~difficulty is calculated as~~ '~~$difficulty = (3$worldPercent + 5$countryPercent + 10*$regionPercent + $findsPerDay) / (3+5+10+1)~~'.		For each group we calculate the ''fail rate'' - the share of runs that did not fulfill the [[Challenge]]. A high regional fail rate means the [[Challenge]] is hard for locals.

	~~It should also be noted that there usually are more calculated~~ [[~~challenge checker~~]] ~~results in~~ the ~~system from more local~~ [[~~Geocacher~~]]~~s than from those living far away~~.		A fourth factor folds in how rarely the [[Challenge]] is actually found, expressed as '(1 - $numFinds / $daysOld) * 100'. It is 0 when the [[Challenge]] is found daily and approaches 100 when it is rarely found.

			The four components are combined with weights - more local counts more:

			$difficulty = (3$worldFailPercent + 5$countryFailPercent + 10*$regionFailPercent + $findsPerDayFactor) / (3+5+10+1)

			The result is rounded down to the closest integer.

	===Example===		===Example===
	* The Challenge ~~is placed~~ in Texas, United States.
	* 80% of ~~the~~ [[Geocacher]]s in Texas fulfill it.		A [[Challenge]] in Texas, United States, was published 365 days ago and has had 10 finds since. The checker results show:
	* 40% of ~~the~~ [[Geocacher]]s in ~~the other states of~~ the United States fulfill it.		* 20% of [[Geocacher]]s in Texas fulfill it - regional fail rate 80%.
	* 30% of ~~the~~ [[Geocacher]]s ~~in the rest of the world~~ fulfill it.		* 60% of [[Geocacher]]s in the United States fulfill it (Texas geocachers included) - country fail rate 40%.
	* The challenge is one year old (~~365 days~~) ~~and has had 10 finds during this period~~.		* 70% of all [[Geocacher]]s with checker runs fulfill it (US geocachers included) - world fail rate 30%.
	* Then to weigh these differently using coefficients a sum is created like this: 3~~30+540+1080+(~~(1-(10/365))100).
	* ~~This sum is then divided by 19~~ (3+5+10+~~1, the last being related to findsPerDay~~).		Plugged in:
	* The ''Challenge difficulty'' ends up being 1187.26/19 = 62.487~~, which is rounded~~ down to 62~~. The values are always rounded down to the closest integer~~.		* finds-per-day factor = (1 - 10/365) * 100 = 97.260
			* difficulty = (330 + 540 + 10*80 + 97.260) / 19 = 1187.260 / 19 = 62.487
			* Rounded down: '''62'''.

	==Related statistics==		==Related statistics==

3305483: Fixed the example, some numbers were swapped.

2026-05-19T06:40:03Z

Fixed the example, some numbers were swapped.

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:40, 19 May 2026
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	* 30% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the rest of the world fulfill it.		* 30% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the rest of the world fulfill it.
	* The challenge is one year old (365 days) and has had 10 finds during this period.		* The challenge is one year old (365 days) and has had 10 finds during this period.
	* Then to weigh these differently using coefficients a sum is created like this: 380+540+1030+((1-(10/365))100).		* Then to weigh these differently using coefficients a sum is created like this: 330+540+1080+((1-(10/365))100).
	* This sum is then divided by 19 (3+5+10+1, the last being related to findsPerDay).		* This sum is then divided by 19 (3+5+10+1, the last being related to findsPerDay).
	* The ''Challenge difficulty'' ends up being ~~837~~.26/19 = 44.~~066~~, which is rounded down to 44. The values are always rounded down to the closest integer.		* The ''Challenge difficulty'' ends up being 1187.26/19 = 62.487, which is rounded down to 62. The values are always rounded down to the closest integer.

	==Related statistics==		==Related statistics==

3638126 at 09:25, 15 January 2026

2026-01-15T09:25:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:25, 15 January 2026
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	* 40% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the other states of the United States fulfill it.		* 40% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the other states of the United States fulfill it.
	* 30% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the rest of the world fulfill it.		* 30% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the rest of the world fulfill it.
	* The challenge is one year old (365 days) and ~~have~~ had 10 finds during this period.		* The challenge is one year old (365 days) and has had 10 finds during this period.
	* Then to weigh these differently using coefficients a sum is created like this: 380+540+1030+((1-(10/365))100).		* Then to weigh these differently using coefficients a sum is created like this: 380+540+1030+((1-(10/365))100).
	* This sum is then divided by 19 (3+5+10+1, the last being related to findsPerDay).		* This sum is then divided by 19 (3+5+10+1, the last being related to findsPerDay).

4523550: Added info about the module in profile stats. Also changed every->most (as not all checkers have a difficulty).

2024-04-26T21:40:19Z

Added info about the module in profile stats. Also changed every->most (as not all checkers have a difficulty).

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:40, 26 April 2024
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	==What is it?==		==What is it?==
	For ~~every~~ [[Challenge checker]] in the system there is a ''Challenge difficulty'' calculated. The difficulty is based on on how many [[Geocacher]]s fulfill the challenge or not. Project-GC is running [[Challenge checker]]s in the background for tens of thousands of [[Geocacher]]s, this process is a part of the [[Auto-challenge-checkers\|Auto-Challenge-Checker System]]. The result of these runs is used to calculate the ''Challenge difficulty''.		For most [[Challenge checker]]s in the system there is a ''Challenge difficulty'' calculated. The difficulty is based on on how many [[Geocacher]]s fulfill the challenge or not. Project-GC is running [[Challenge checker]]s in the background for tens of thousands of [[Geocacher]]s, this process is a part of the [[Auto-challenge-checkers\|Auto-Challenge-Checker System]]. The result of these runs is used to calculate the ''Challenge difficulty''.

	==How is it calculated?==		==How is it calculated?==
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	==Related statistics==		==Related statistics==
	[[Challenge difficulty per rating interval]] shows the correlation between the [[D/T\|difficulty rating]] of the geocache and the challenge difficulty.		[[Challenge difficulty per rating interval]] shows the correlation between the [[D/T\|difficulty rating]] of the geocache and the challenge difficulty.

			The [[Challenges_tab#Challenge_difficulties\|challenge tab]] in the profile stats has a module for challenge difficulties.

	[[Category:Site Info]]		[[Category:Site Info]]

4523550: Added related statistics and made example h3 instead of h2.

2021-06-19T13:27:16Z

Added related statistics and made example h3 instead of h2.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:27, 19 June 2021
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	It should also be noted that there usually are more calculated [[challenge checker]] results in the system from more local [[Geocacher]]s than from those living far away.		It should also be noted that there usually are more calculated [[challenge checker]] results in the system from more local [[Geocacher]]s than from those living far away.

	==Example==		===Example===
	* The Challenge is placed in Texas, United States.		* The Challenge is placed in Texas, United States.
	* 80% of the [[Geocacher]]s in Texas fulfill it.		* 80% of the [[Geocacher]]s in Texas fulfill it.
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	* This sum is then divided by 19 (3+5+10+1, the last being related to findsPerDay).		* This sum is then divided by 19 (3+5+10+1, the last being related to findsPerDay).
	* The ''Challenge difficulty'' ends up being 837.26/19 = 44.066, which is rounded down to 44. The values are always rounded down to the closest integer.		* The ''Challenge difficulty'' ends up being 837.26/19 = 44.066, which is rounded down to 44. The values are always rounded down to the closest integer.

			==Related statistics==
			[[Challenge difficulty per rating interval]] shows the correlation between the [[D/T\|difficulty rating]] of the geocache and the challenge difficulty.

	[[Category:Site Info]]		[[Category:Site Info]]

3305483: Example now uses numFinds as well

2021-06-14T09:39:00Z

Example now uses numFinds as well

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:39, 14 June 2021
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	~~{{FIXME\|reason=example not using findsPerDay}}~~

	==What is it?==		==What is it?==
	For every [[Challenge checker]] in the system there is a ''Challenge difficulty'' calculated. The difficulty is based on on how many [[Geocacher]]s fulfill the challenge or not. Project-GC is running [[Challenge checker]]s in the background for tens of thousands of [[Geocacher]]s, this process is a part of the [[Auto-challenge-checkers\|Auto-Challenge-Checker System]]. The result of these runs is used to calculate the ''Challenge difficulty''.		For every [[Challenge checker]] in the system there is a ''Challenge difficulty'' calculated. The difficulty is based on on how many [[Geocacher]]s fulfill the challenge or not. Project-GC is running [[Challenge checker]]s in the background for tens of thousands of [[Geocacher]]s, this process is a part of the [[Auto-challenge-checkers\|Auto-Challenge-Checker System]]. The result of these runs is used to calculate the ''Challenge difficulty''.
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	Then the difficulty is calculated as '$difficulty = (3$worldPercent + 5$countryPercent + 10*$regionPercent + $findsPerDay) / (3+5+10+1)'.		Then the difficulty is calculated as '$difficulty = (3$worldPercent + 5$countryPercent + 10*$regionPercent + $findsPerDay) / (3+5+10+1)'.

	It should also be noted that there usually are more ~~cached~~ [[challenge checker]] results in the system from more local [[Geocacher]]s than from those living far away.		It should also be noted that there usually are more calculated [[challenge checker]] results in the system from more local [[Geocacher]]s than from those living far away.

	==Example==		==Example==
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	* 40% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the other states of the United States fulfill it.		* 40% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the other states of the United States fulfill it.
	* 30% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the rest of the world fulfill it.		* 30% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the rest of the world fulfill it.
	* Then to weigh these differently using coefficients a sum is created like this: 380+540+10*30.		* The challenge is one year old (365 days) and have had 10 finds during this period.
	* This sum is then divided by 18 (3+5+10).		* Then to weigh these differently using coefficients a sum is created like this: 380+540+1030+((1-(10/365))100).
	* The ''Challenge difficulty'' ends up being ~~740~~/18 = 41.11, which is rounded down to 41. The values are always rounded down to the closest integer.		* This sum is then divided by 19 (3+5+10+1, the last being related to findsPerDay).
			* The ''Challenge difficulty'' ends up being 837.26/19 = 44.066, which is rounded down to 44. The values are always rounded down to the closest integer.

	[[Category:Site Info]]		[[Category:Site Info]]

3305483: Some text cleanups

2021-06-14T09:26:11Z

Some text cleanups

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:26, 14 June 2021
Line 5:		Line 5:

	==How is it calculated?==		==How is it calculated?==
	Basically the ''Challenge difficulty'' tells us what proportion of [[Geocacher]]s fulfill a challenge or not. The rating is an integer between 0 and 100, but should not be confused with percent. First off it's important to understand that the automatic challenge checker runs aren't automatically executed on the average [[Geocacher]], but more likely on the more hardcore [[Geocacher]]s. It's primarily executed on [[Geocacher]]s with more finds, regular users of [[Project-GC]] and also [[Paid membership\|paid members]] of the site.		Basically the ''Challenge difficulty'' tells us what proportion of [[Geocacher]]s fulfill a challenge or not. The rating is an integer between 0 and 100, but should not be confused with percent. First off it's important to understand that the automatic challenge checker runs aren't automatically executed on the average [[Geocacher]], but more likely on the more hardcore [[Geocacher]]s. It's primarily executed on [[Geocacher]]s with more finds, regular users of [[Project-GC]] and also [[Paid membership\|paid members]] of the site. With this in mind we know that the result isn't representing the average geocacher, on the other hand, challenges generally aren't targeting the average geocacher either.

	~~Then the~~ [[~~Geocacher~~]]~~s the checker has been run on is divided~~ into three categories:		The [[Challenge checker]] results are dividing into three categories:
	* Region - [[Geocacher]]s that are determined to live in the same '''region''' as the [[Challenge]] itself.		* Region - [[Geocacher]]s that are determined to live in the same '''region''' as the [[Challenge]] itself.
	* Country - [[Geocacher]]s that are determined to live in the same '''country''' as the [[Challenge]] itself, but not in the same region.		* Country - [[Geocacher]]s that are determined to live in the same '''country''' as the [[Challenge]] itself, but not in the same region.
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	Then the difficulty is calculated as '$difficulty = (3$worldPercent + 5$countryPercent + 10*$regionPercent + $findsPerDay) / (3+5+10+1)'.		Then the difficulty is calculated as '$difficulty = (3$worldPercent + 5$countryPercent + 10*$regionPercent + $findsPerDay) / (3+5+10+1)'.

	It should also be noted that there are ~~usually~~ more cached checker ~~runs~~ in the system from more local [[Geocacher]]s than from those living far away.		It should also be noted that there usually are more cached [[challenge checker]] results in the system from more local [[Geocacher]]s than from those living far away.

	==Example==		==Example==

2458905: Correct 'forth' -> 'fourth'.

2020-12-30T20:26:52Z

Correct 'forth' -> 'fourth'.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:26, 30 December 2020
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	* World - All others		* World - All others

	For each category a percentage of how many fulfill the [[Challenge]] is calculated. Then the results for each group is weighted different in the calculations, basically a list is created and the percentages are added into that list. A ~~forth~~ factor is also added into the mix, the number of finds per day.		For each category a percentage of how many fulfill the [[Challenge]] is calculated. Then the results for each group is weighted different in the calculations, basically a list is created and the percentages are added into that list. A fourth factor is also added into the mix, the number of finds per day.

	The number of finds per day isn't used as the raw number itself, but rather as '(1-($numFinds/$daysOld))*100'.		The number of finds per day isn't used as the raw number itself, but rather as '(1-($numFinds/$daysOld))*100'.

4523550: Changed UK-spelling to US-spelling since US-english is the language of the site.

2020-12-29T22:12:14Z

Changed UK-spelling to US-spelling since US-english is the language of the site.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:12, 29 December 2020
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	==How is it calculated?==		==How is it calculated?==
	Basically the ''Challenge difficulty'' tells us what proportion of [[Geocacher]]s ~~fulfil~~ a challenge or not. The rating is an integer between 0 and 100, but should not be confused with percent. First off it's important to understand that the automatic challenge checker runs aren't automatically executed on the average [[Geocacher]], but more likely on the more hardcore [[Geocacher]]s. It's primarily executed on [[Geocacher]]s with more finds, regular users of [[Project-GC]] and also [[Paid membership\|paid members]] of the site.		Basically the ''Challenge difficulty'' tells us what proportion of [[Geocacher]]s fulfill a challenge or not. The rating is an integer between 0 and 100, but should not be confused with percent. First off it's important to understand that the automatic challenge checker runs aren't automatically executed on the average [[Geocacher]], but more likely on the more hardcore [[Geocacher]]s. It's primarily executed on [[Geocacher]]s with more finds, regular users of [[Project-GC]] and also [[Paid membership\|paid members]] of the site.

	Then the [[Geocacher]]s the checker has been run on is divided into three categories:		Then the [[Geocacher]]s the checker has been run on is divided into three categories:
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	* World - All others		* World - All others

	For each category a percentage of how many ~~fulfil~~ the [[Challenge]] is calculated. Then the results for each group is weighted different in the calculations, basically a list is created and the percentages are added into that list. A forth factor is also added into the mix, the number of finds per day.		For each category a percentage of how many fulfill the [[Challenge]] is calculated. Then the results for each group is weighted different in the calculations, basically a list is created and the percentages are added into that list. A forth factor is also added into the mix, the number of finds per day.

	The number of finds per day isn't used as the raw number itself, but rather as '(1-($numFinds/$daysOld))*100'.		The number of finds per day isn't used as the raw number itself, but rather as '(1-($numFinds/$daysOld))*100'.
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	==Example==		==Example==
	* The Challenge is placed in Texas, United States.		* The Challenge is placed in Texas, United States.
	* 80% of the [[Geocacher]]s in Texas ~~fulfil~~ it.		* 80% of the [[Geocacher]]s in Texas fulfill it.
	* 40% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the other states of the United States ~~fulfil~~ it.		* 40% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the other states of the United States fulfill it.
	* 30% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the rest of the world ~~fulfil~~ it.		* 30% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the rest of the world fulfill it.
	* Then to weigh these differently using coefficients a sum is created like this: 380+540+10*30.		* Then to weigh these differently using coefficients a sum is created like this: 380+540+10*30.
	* This sum is then divided by 18 (3+5+10).		* This sum is then divided by 18 (3+5+10).

212719: /* Grammar edit */

2020-12-29T12:00:16Z

Grammar edit

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:00, 29 December 2020
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	==Example==		==Example==
	* The Challenge is placed in Texas, United States.		* The Challenge is placed in Texas, United States.
	* 80% of the [[Geocacher]]s in Texas ~~fulfills~~ it.		* 80% of the [[Geocacher]]s in Texas fulfil it.
	* 40% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the other states of the United States ~~fulfills~~ it.		* 40% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the other states of the United States fulfil it.
	* 30% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the rest of the world ~~fulfills~~ it.		* 30% of the [[Geocacher]]s in the rest of the world fulfil it.
	* Then to weigh these differently using coefficients a sum is created like this: 380+540+10*30.		* Then to weigh these differently using coefficients a sum is created like this: 380+540+10*30.
	* This sum is then divided by 18 (3+5+10).		* This sum is then divided by 18 (3+5+10).