read analogue in in steps

Using Arduino Programming Questions
#1

Hi,
i am trying to smooth my results from reading the value of a pot. I have been having trouble reading a steady value as the value usually fluctuates + or -1 and so gives flickery results. Is there a way of only reading the input if the value has changed by steps of 10 as opposed to every single number? i have tried taking an average but this still fluctuates, the below code works as i require but it seems a little clunky and reduces my resolution greatly. i eventually need the value to fall between 1000-5000 hence the final multiplication.

Any thoughts or comments would be helpful.

const int numReadings = 10;

int readings[numReadings];      // the readings from the analog input
int index = 0;                  // the index of the current reading
int total = 0;                  // the running total
int average = 0;                // the average

int inputPin = A0;
float faderval;
float fadermap;
float stepup;
void setup()
{

  Serial.begin(9600);                   
  for (int thisReading = 0; thisReading < numReadings; thisReading++)
    readings[thisReading] = 0;          
}

void loop() {
   
  faderval = analogRead(A0);
  fadermap = map (faderval, 0, 1023, 2, 10);
 
  total= total - readings[index];         
  readings[index] = fadermap; 
  total= total + readings[index];       
  index = index + 1;                    

  if (index >= numReadings)              
    index = 0;                           

  average = total / numReadings;    

stepup = average * 500;
  Serial.println(stepup);
  delay(1);                  
}
#2

I have been having trouble reading a steady value as the value usually fluctuates + or -1 and so gives flickery results.

Any reading from any A/D converter can only ever be +/- 1, it is built into the way they work.

Is there a way of only reading the input if the value has changed by steps of 10 as opposed to every single number?

You remember the last reading (in a variable) then take the absolute value of the current reading minus the last reading. If this exceeds 10 the do something with the new reading.

 val = analogRead(0);
if ( abs(val - lastVal) > 10 ) {
   //do something with the reading

lastVal = val;
}
#3