Random Number Generator
How to Generate Random Numberson the TI-84 Plus
In This Article
By Jeff McCalla, C. C. Edwards
You TI-84 Plus calculator has a massive amount of digits arranged in a set, also known as a random numbers table which it utilizes the table to generate random numbers.
Generating random integers
In order to generate random integer,follow these steps:
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To turn on the randInt Wizard on the Math PROB menu, press If you are using a TI-84 Plus, there is no wizard for the command randint. In order to use the command you must be familiar with the format: randint(lower or upper) [number elements]).A wizard helps you enter information easy. The wizard arranges the information entered in a way that corresponds to the syntax of command. Look up the wizard on one of the screens.
- Select the lower limit, and the higher limit you wish the random number you choose to be.You are looking for a random numbers from 1 to 100. Enter [ENTER] or press the down-arrow key to go to the next line of the wizard.
- Enter n, for how many random numbers you would like to generate.Press [ENTER] several times to generate more random numbers as shown in the second screen.
- If you wish to generatea list of random integers then change what you want to do with n.See 3rd screen in.
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 eliminate repetitions by using an alternative procedure. Here are the steps:
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To start the wizard from the Math PROB menu, click
See to open the next screen.On the TI-84 Plus, the randIntNoRep command doesn't have wizards to aid you. The syntax for the command is randIntNoRep(lower,upper). Unlike the TI-84 Plus C however, you do not have the option of adjusting your number of term.
- Enter either the upper or lower limits, as well as enter n (the the number terms).See this second page.
- Press [ENTER] until your numbers have been generated.This is demonstrated in the 3rd screen.
Generating random decimals
It is simple to generate random decimal numbers that are strictly between 0 and 1. Press
To select to select the rand option from the Math Probability menu. Press [ENTER] repeatedly to generate the random numbers. The first screen will illustrate this process.
For generate random numbers between zero and 100, you need to utilize the rand command. It is an expressionsuch as: 100*rand. The second screen.
Seeding the random number generator
Your calculator creates random numbers using the huge number of numbers arranged in the form of a list. Here is the cool part. You choose from the list you'd like your calculator to start generating random numbers. This is known as the seeding of your number.
Get a little creative with the number you choose to begin your calculator. This should be fun! Determine how many days you've lived. Calculators come with commands to figure it out for you! The steps to follow:
- Press [2nd][0] to access the Catalog.Notice your calculator is operating in Alpha mode, indicated by the blinking red A within the cursor.
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To insert the dbd( function to insert the function, press
dbd means days between dates.
- Enter your birth date as numbers in this application: MM.DDYY.Dates are required to be in the period between 1950-2049. Here, June 1, 1968, is entered with the following number: 06.0168.
- Press [,].
- Fill in today's day's number using this form: MM.DDYY. January 2, 2013 will be entered as the number 01.0213.
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Press [ENTER] to determine how long you have been alive.See on the screen that first appears. Wow! 16,286 days is very old!
Below are some steps you need to follow to start your calculator:
- Enter the code you're using to seed your calculator. 16286. However, in reality, you can choose any number that is real to seed your calculator.
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Press
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To include the rand command press
- Press [ENTER] in order to seed the calculator.See on the right side of your screen. on the next screen.
- Test it! Use randInt( to generate a random number.See the last line of the screen in.
Want to impress your friends? Seed your calculator with results that you are aware of in advance. If, for instance, you covertly seed your calculator with 16286, 16286 and then the next 3 random numbers (from the 0s to 1,000s) that are calculated will result in 203 197, and 213, like the third screen. Just don't share your secret!
About the Book Author
Jeff McCalla is a math teacher of mathematics at St. Mary's Episcopal School in Memphis, TN. He was the co-founder of the TI-Nspire SuperUser group, and was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science & Mathematics Teaching. C.C. Edwards is an educator and has led various workshops on using TI calculators.
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