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 large number of digits in a table, referred to as a random number table, that it uses for its calculations to generate random numbers.

Generating random integers

In order to generate random integer,follow these steps:

1. To activate the randInt Wizard in the Math PROB menu, pressIf you're using the TI-84 Plus, there isn't a wizard that can run the randint command. To utilize the command, you need to know how to use it: randint(lower higher, upper elements]).A wizard makes entering data simple. The wizard arranges the information you enter in a way that is compatible with the syntax of the command. Check out the wizard on the first screen.
2. Select the lower limit, and the upper limit you would like your random number to be.You would like a random number between 1 and 100. Press [ENTER] or the down-arrow to move to the next line in the wizard.
3. Enter n, for how many random numbers do you wish to generate.Press [ENTER] repeatedly to generate more random numbers , as shown in the second screen.
4. If you wish to generatea list of random integers you can change to the number n.See the third screen in.

Generating random integerswith no repetition

Did you notice the integer 52, was chosen twice in the third screen? If you are generating numbers that are random it is possible to avoid repeats with another command. Here are the steps:

1. To start the wizard from the Math PROB menu, click See at the top of the 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 options to change how many terms you can use.
2. Enter both the lower and upper limits and n (the quantity of terms).See the second screen.
3. Enter [ENTER] until the numbers have been generated.This can be seen in The third display.

Generating random decimals

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

to select to select the to select the option in the Math Probability menu. After that, press repeatedly [ENTER] to generate the random numbers. This screen first illustrates the process.

If you want to generate random numbers between 100 and 0 run the command rand in an expressionsuch as: 100*rand. Check out the second screen.

Seeding the generator of random numbers

Your calculator generates random numbers from the vast number of digits laid out in an alphabetical list. Here's the exciting part. You can pick where in the list you want your calculator to begin generating random numbers. This is known as"seeding" your numbers.

Be creative with the number you choose to populate your calculator. This is a great exercise! You can figure out how many years you've been alive. Your calculator has a command that will figure it out for you! The steps to follow:

1. Use the [2nd][0] button to open the Catalog.Notice, your calculator is using Alpha mode, as indicated by the blinking of the A in the cursor.
2. To add the dbd( function to insert the function, press dbd is the acronym for days in between dates.
3. Input your birth date as the number on this type of form. MM.DDYY.Dates should be within the range of 1950 and 2049. The date, June 1, 1968, is entered with the number 06.0168.
4. Press [,].
5. The day of the week is entered as a number on this form: MM.DDYY. January 2 2013, is entered using the number: 01.0213.
6. Press [ENTER] to find out how many days you have been alive.See your first display. Wow! 16286 days sound an awful lot older!

Following are the necessary steps to create a calculator seed:

1. Enter the number you are applying to your calculator to be seeded. 16286. But, of course, it is possible that you can use any real number to seed your calculator.
2. Press
3. To add the rand command, press
4. Press [ENTER] to start seeding your calculator.See on the right side of your screen. on the second screen.
5. Test it! Use randInt( to generate an random number.See the last line of 2nd screen.

Are you looking to impress your peers? You can seed your calculator with results that you know in advance. For example, if , for example, you secretly seed your calculator with this number 16286 The following three randomly generated numbers (from 0 to 1,000) that will be generated are 203 197, and 213, as seen in the 3rd screen. Be careful not to divulge your secrets!

About the Book Author

Jeff McCalla is a math teacher in 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 has been a teacher who has presented numerous workshops on the use of TI calculators.