Random Number Generator

How to Generate Random Numberson the TI-84 Plus

In This Article

By Jeff McCalla, C. C. Edwards

The TI-84 Plus calculator has a huge number of digits that are arranged in a list, known as a random table that it uses in order to generate random numbers.

Generating random integers

In order to generate random integer,follow these steps:

1. To activate the randInt Wizard within the Math PROB menu, press If you are using a TI-84 Plus, there is no wizard that can run the randint command. To be able to use the command, you need to know its syntax, which is randint(lower higher, upper elements]).A Wizard makes the process of entering information simple. The wizard organizes the information you enter so that it fits the syntax of the command. See the wizard in the initial screen.
2. Enter the lower limit as well as the higher limit you wish your random number to be.You would like a random number that ranges from 1 to 100. Press [ENTER] or the down-arrow key to navigate to the next line of the wizard.
3. Enter n, which is the number of many random numbers you wish to generate.Press [ENTER] several times to generate more random numbers , as illustrated in the second screen.
4. If you want to generatea list of random integers, change your value for n.See the third screen in.

Generating random integerswith no repetition

Did you notice that the integer 52, was picked twice in the third screen? If you are generating numbers that are random You can avoid repeats with an alternative procedure. These are the steps to follow:

1. To start the wizard on the Math PROB menu, press See the first screen.On the TI-84 Plus, the randIntNoRep command does not have wizards that can assist you. The syntax for the command is randIntNoRep(lower,upper). Like the TI-84 Plus C however, you do not have the option of adjusting to the amount of words.
2. Enter between the limits of upper and lower, as well as you will be able to enter the upper and lower limits as well as n (the quantity of terms).See on the next screen.
3. Enter [ENTER] until the numbers are generated.This can be seen in three screens.

Generating random decimals

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

choose to select the rand command from the Math Probability menu. Press [ENTER] repeatedly to generate random numbers. The first screen demonstrates this process.

To generate random numbers that range 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 an enormous list of numbers that are arranged into an alphabetical list. The best part is. You can pick where in the list you'd like your calculator to begin generating random numbers. This is known as"seeding" your numbers.

Be creative with the number you decide to begin your calculator. This should be fun! Find out how long you've been alive. Your calculator comes with a function that can figure that out for you! The steps to follow:

1. Enter [2nd][0] for access to the Catalog.Notice that your calculator is currently in Alpha mode, as shown by the blinking A on the cursor.
2. To insert the dbd( function, press dbd refers to the days that lie between dates.
3. Input your birth date as the number on the following form: MM.DDYY.Dates must be between the years 1950-2049. For example, June 1, 1968, is entered with the number 06.0168.
4. Press [,].
5. You can enter today's date as a number on this form: MM.DDYY. January 2 2013,, is entered with the number 01.0213.
6. Press [ENTER] to learn how many days you have known you are alive.See your first display. Wow! 16286 days sounds an awful lot older!

Following are the necessary steps you need to follow to start your calculator:

1. Enter the number you're making use of to create your seed for your calculator. 16286. Naturally, you can use any number in real life to seed your calculator.
2. Press
3. To insert the rand command, press
4. Press [ENTER] in order to seed you calculator.See your first column on The second screen.
5. Try it out! Use randInt( to generate an random number.See the last line of the second screen.

Do you want to impress your friends? Seed your calculator with results you know ahead of time. For instance, if covertly seed your calculator with an amount of 16286, then the next three numbers (from 1,000 to 0) which will be created will include 203 213, and 197 according to the screen 3. Make sure you don't reveal your secret!

About the Book Author

Jeff McCalla is a math teacher of mathematics at 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 has been a teacher and has led various workshops on using TI calculators.