# Picking/selecting elements from a list

I'm trying to pick/select elements from a list based on another list's value. I haven't been able to implement the solution given to similar questions, such as this and this. Here is a MWE:

Clear["Global*"]

f[a_, x_] := x^3 + x^2 - x - a
xsol[a_] := x /. NSolve[f[a, x] == 0, x, Reals]
g[a_] := xsol[a]^2 - 20/(5 - xsol[a]) + 30
h[a_] := 5*xsol[a]^3
Manipulate[{xsol[a], g[a], h[a]}, {a, 0.1, 100}]


For each $$a$$, Manipulate will show 3 lists: $$xsol[a]$$, $$g[a]$$ and $$h[a]$$ . The number of elements in each list depends on $$a$$ (in this particular example, it's 1 or 3).

The goal is to select elements from those 3 lists based on the value of the corresponding $$g[a]$$ element being larger than 25.9. For example, for $$a=.1$$, the three lists are ex ante:

{{-1.58954, -0.0922716, 0.681807}, {29.4915, 26.081,
25.8333}, {-20.0808, -0.00392802, 1.58473}}


Considering the selection criterion, I want to select only the first two elements of each list:

{{-1.58954, -0.0922716}, {29.4915, 26.081}, {-20.0808, -0.00392802}}


Now, for each particular value of $$a$$ (say, $$a=.1$$), I'm able to do it by testing each element $$g[.1][[1]]$$, $$g[.1][[2]]$$ and $$g[.1][[3]]$$ and selecting appropriately. However, in the context of Manipulate, the number of elements changes as I move the slider across the different values of $$a$$. For that reason, I'm at a loss on how to code it; as I move the slider, I want only the selected elements to be shown. That is, when $$a=.1$$ the lists shown must be:

{{-1.58954, -0.0922716}, {29.4915, 26.081}, {-20.0808, -0.00392802}}


and when $$a=85$$, the lists shown must be empty. Any ideas on how to achieve that?

• I get xsol[0.1] = {-1.58954, -0.0922716, 0.681807} and xsol[85]={4.15769}; Also your code keeps manipulating and working till 100 on the slider. The selection criterion "for what" is g[a]>25.9? For a=85, "nothing is shown" or "nothing must be shown". Please clarify.
– Syed
Aug 12 at 21:41
• Little confused by the manipulation but as far as the list selection: a = {{-1.58954, -0.0922716}, {29.4915, 26.081}, {-20.0808, -0.00392802}} Transpose@Select[Transpose@a, #[[2]] > 25.9 &] Aug 12 at 23:15

Clear["Global*"]

f[a_, x_] := x^3 + x^2 - x - a
xsol[a_] := x /. NSolve[f[a, x] == 0, x, Reals]
g[a_] := xsol[a]^2 - 20/(5 - xsol[a]) + 30
h[a_] := 5*xsol[a]^3
Manipulate[
Transpose@
Select[Transpose@{xsol[a], g[a], h[a]}, #[[2]] > 25.9 &], {a, 0.1,
100}]


Is this what you are looking for?

There is quickly only a list with single elements?

• yes and yes. It's a mwe, but it does convey what I was looking for. What you've proposed solve the problem. Aug 12 at 23:25