Random Number Generator

How to Generate Random Numberson the TI-84 Plus

In This Article

By Jeff McCalla, C. C. Edwards

This TI-84 Plus calculator has a vast number of numbers arranged in a table, referred to as a random table which it utilizes the table to generate random numbers.

Generating random integers

If you want to generate random integer,follow these steps:

1. To start the randInt Wizard in the Math PROB menu, select If you are using a TI-84 Plus, there isn't a wizard to rundint. To utilize the command, you must know the format: randint(lower upper), lower, and [number elements]).A wizard makes entering information easy. A wizard arranges the information you enter so that it fits the syntax of the command. The wizard is on the screen that opens.
2. Set the lower limit and maximum limit you wish the number that you randomly choose be.You want a random number that ranges from 1 to 100. Press [ENTER] or the down-arrow to move to the next section of the wizard.
3. Enter n to indicate how many random numbers you would like to generate.Press [ENTER] repeatedly to generate additional random numbers as illustrated in the second screen.
4. If you'd like to generatea list of random integers you can change your value for n.See 3rd screen in.

Generating random integerswith no repetition

Did you notice the integer 52, was twice selected at the end of the screen? If you're creating the list of random integers you can eliminate repeats with a different method. These are the steps to follow:

1. To enable the randIntNoRep Wizard on the Math PROB menu, press See in the very first 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). Like the TI-84 Plus C which is a different command, this one doesn't offer an option to adjust how many terms you can use.
2. Enter between the limits of upper and lower as well as the number n (the total number of terms).See the second screen.
3. Enter [ENTER] until the numbers are generated.This is illustrated in the screen 3.

Generating random decimals

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

to select to choose the rand option in the Math Probability menu. Then repeatedly press [ENTER] to generate the random numbers. The first screen shows this process.

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

Seeding the random number generator

Your calculator generates random numbers from a massive list of digits that are arranged into a list. Here is the cool part. You can pick where in the list you'd like your calculator to start generating random numbers. It's called seeding your random number.

Be creative with the number you choose for your calculator's seed. This should be fun! Find out how long you've lived. Calculators come with commands which can calculate this for you! Use these tips:

1. Enter [2nd][0] for access to the Catalog.Notice the calculator is using Alpha mode, which is indicated by the blinking A in the cursor.
2. To add the DBD( function for inserting the function, press dbd signifies the days that lie between dates.
3. Input your birth date as an integer on this form: MM.DDYY.Dates must be between the years 1950 and 2049. In this case, June 1, 1968 is entered as the number 06.0168.
4. Press [,].
5. Input today's date as a number in this form: MM.DDYY. January 2 2013, is entered with the following number: 01.0213.
6. Enter [ENTER] to determine how long you have known you are alive.See your first display. Wow! 16,286 years sounds like an awful lot older!

Here are the steps you need to follow to create a calculator seed:

1. Enter the number you are selecting to start your calculator. 16286. You could utilize any number real to seed your calculator.
2. Press
3. To insert the rand command, press
4. Press [ENTER] for seeding you calculator.See the first line on your second display.
5. Try it out! Try randInt( to generate random number.See the last line of this second screen.

Are you hoping to impress your acquaintances? Make your calculator seeded with numbers you have in mind. For instance, if you secretly seed your calculator with an amount of 16286 The next 3 random numbers (from 1,000 to 0) that are created will include 203, 213, and 197 as displayed in the 3rd screen. Be careful not to divulge your secrets!

About the Book Author

Jeff McCalla is an instructor of mathematics for St. Mary's Episcopal School in Memphis, TN. He cofounded the TI-Nspire SuperUser group, and was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science & Mathematics Teaching. C.C. Edwards is an educationalist who has delivered several workshops on how to use TI calculators.