python - Convert a number range to another range, maintaining ratio

Question

I'm trying to convert one range of numbers to another, maintaining ratio. Maths is not my strong point.

I have an image file where point values may range from -16000.00 to 16000.00 though the typical range may be much less. What I want to do is compress these values into the integer range 0-100, where 0 is the value of the smallest point, and 100 is the value of the largest. All points in between should keep a relative ratio even though some precision is being lost I'd like to do this in python but even a general algorithm should suffice. I'd prefer an algorithm where the min/max or either range can be adjusted (ie, the second range could be -50 to 800 instead of 0 to 100).

Answer 1

NewValue = (((OldValue - OldMin) * (NewMax - NewMin)) / (OldMax - OldMin)) + NewMin

Or a little more readable:

OldRange = (OldMax - OldMin)  
NewRange = (NewMax - NewMin)  
NewValue = (((OldValue - OldMin) * NewRange) / OldRange) + NewMin

Or if you want to protect for the case where the old range is 0 (OldMin = OldMax):

OldRange = (OldMax - OldMin)
if (OldRange == 0)
    NewValue = NewMin
else
{
    NewRange = (NewMax - NewMin)  
    NewValue = (((OldValue - OldMin) * NewRange) / OldRange) + NewMin
}

Note that in this case we're forced to pick one of the possible new range values arbitrarily. Depending on context, sensible choices could be: NewMin (see sample), NewMax or (NewMin + NewMax) / 2