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Random Number Generator
Generate random numbers from a uniform, normal or exponential distribution and see the results plotted. Useful for sampling, games, simulations and teaching statistics.
About the Random Number Generator
Generate random numbers from a uniform, normal or exponential distribution and see the results plotted. Useful for sampling, games, simulations and teaching statistics.
How to use the Random Number Generator
- Choose a Distribution: Uniform, Normal or Exponential.
- Set the minimum and maximum (uniform), or the mean and standard deviation (normal).
- Enter the number of Samples and press Generate & Plot Data.
Formula and method
Uniform: every value between the minimum and maximum is equally likely. Normal: values cluster around the mean in a bell curve. Exponential: many small values and a few large ones.
Worked example
A uniform distribution from 1 to 6 with 1,000 samples behaves like rolling a fair die 1,000 times, and the bars in the chart should be roughly equal.
When to use the Random Number Generator
- Picking a winner for a giveaway or a raffle.
- Choosing random numbers for games, sampling and testing.
- Making unbiased decisions when several options are equal.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a random number generator for security purposes such as passwords or keys.
- Forgetting to choose whether repeated numbers are allowed.
Tips
- Computer-generated numbers are pseudo-random and are not suitable for cryptography.
- More samples give a smoother, more representative chart.
Frequently asked questions
Is the result truly random?
It is generated by an algorithm designed to look random. That is fine for games and simulations, but not for security purposes.
Are the numbers truly random?
They are pseudo-random, which is fine for games and sampling but not for cryptography.
Can I generate a lottery pick?
Yes, but each combination has the same chance, so no pick is luckier than another.