Random Number Generator

How to Generate Random Numberson the TI-84 Plus

In This Article

By Jeff McCalla, C. C. Edwards

Your TI-84 Plus calculator has a huge number of digits that are arranged in a list, called the random number table that it uses as a way to generate random numbers.

Generating random integers

For you to generate random integer,follow these steps:

1. To start the randInt Wizard within the Math PROB menu, click If you're using the TI-84 Plus, there is no wizard for the randint command. To be able to use the command, you must know its syntax, which is randint(lower the upper and lower elements]).A wizard makes entering data easy. A wizard arranges the data you input so that it corresponds to the syntax of command. Check out the wizard on your first window.
2. Set the lower limit and upper limit that you want the number that you randomly choose be.You would like a random number that is between 1 and 100. Press [ENTER] or the down-arrow to move to the next page in the wizard.
3. Enter n to indicate how many random numbers you wish to generate.Press [ENTER] several times to generate additional random numbers as shown in the screen below.
4. If you wish to generatea list of random integers, alter to the number n.See 3rd screen.

Generating random integerswith no repetition

Did you notice that the integer 52, was twice selected on the 3rd screen? If you're creating the list of random integers, you can easily avoid repeats with an alternative command. Here are the steps:

1. To activate the randIntNoRep Wizard from the Math PROB menu, press See to open the next screen.On the TI-84 Plus, the randIntNoRep command does not come with wizards to aid you. The syntax for the command is randIntNoRep(lower,upper). As opposed to TI-84 Plus C, you don't have the option to alter for the quantity of terms.
2. Enter either the upper or lower limits as well as enter n (the quantity of terms).See another screen.
3. Enter [ENTER] until the numbers are generated.This can be seen in The third display.

Generating random decimals

It is simple to generate random decimal numbers that are between 0 and 1. Press

choose the rund option to select the rand command from the Math Probability menu. Then repeatedly press [ENTER] to generate the random numbers. The first screen demonstrates this procedure.

When you need to generate random numbers between zero and 100, you need to use the rand command in an expression: 100*rand. Check out the second screen.

Seeding the random number generator

Your calculator creates random numbers using an extensive list of numbers that are arranged into the form of a list. Here's the best part. You choose from the list you'd like the calculator to start creating random numbers. It is called"seeding" your numbers.

Have a bit of fun with the number you choose to begin your calculator. This should be fun! Calculate how many days you have been alive. The calculator you have is equipped with a command that will figure it out for you! The steps to follow:

1. Click [2nd][0] in order to access the Catalog.Notice the calculator is in Alpha mode, as indicated by the blinking A in the cursor.
2. To add the dbd( function for inserting the function, press dbd stands for the days that lie between dates.
3. You can enter your birth date in the form of a number in this type of form. MM.DDYY.Dates have to fall between 1950-2049. The date, June 1, 1968, is entered with the number 06.0168.
4. Press [,].
5. Fill in today's day's number using this form: MM.DDYY. January 2 2012 enters the following number: 01.0213.
6. Press [ENTER] to discover how long you've lived alive.See the first screen. Wow! 16,286 days is very old!

Here are the steps you need to follow to seed your calculator:

1. Enter the number you're applying to your calculator to be seeded. 16286. However, in reality, you could utilize any number real to seed your calculator.
2. Press
3. To include the rand command press
4. Enter [ENTER] to seed to your calculator.See your first column on the screen that follows.
5. Test it! Utilize randInt( to generate an random number.See the final line on your second screen.

Do you want to impress your friends? Create a seed for your calculator using results you have in mind. If, for instance, you covertly seed your calculator with an amount of 16286 The next three randomly generated numbers (from zero to 1000) which will be generated are 203, 197, and 213, like the third screen. Just don't share your secret!

About the Book Author

Jeff McCalla is a mathematics teacher at St. Mary's Episcopal School in Memphis, TN. He cofounded the TI-Nspire SuperUser group, and received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science & Mathematics Teaching. C.C. Edwards is an educationalist who has given numerous workshops on using TI calculators.