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 vast number of numbers arranged in a table, referred to as a random number table which it utilizes for its calculations to generate random numbers.

Generating random integers

To generate random integer,follow these steps:

1. To turn on 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 run the command you need to be aware of its syntax, which is randint(lower higher, upper elements]).A wizard will make the entry of data simple. The wizard arranges data you enter in a way that is compatible with the syntax of the command. See the wizard in your first window.
2. Set the lower limit and upper limit you want your randomly generated number be.You need a random number from 1 to 100. Enter [ENTER] or press the down-arrow key in order to get to the next page in the wizard.
3. Enter n for how many random numbers you'd like to generate.Press [ENTER] several times to generate more random numbers as seen in the second screen.
4. If you want to generatea list of random integers change values of n.See the third screen in.

Generating random integerswith no repetition

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

1. To activate the randIntNoRep wizard within 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). Unlike the TI-84 Plus C it doesn't provide the option of changing to the amount of words.
2. Input your upper limit and lower limit and enter n (the the number terms).See the second screen.
3. Press [ENTER] until your numbers are generated.This is shown in the third screen.

Generating random decimals

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

to select to choose the rand option to select the rand command from the Math Probability menu. Press [ENTER] repeatedly to generate random numbers. The first screen will illustrate this procedure.

In order to generate random numbers between 100 and 0 you can run the command rand in an expression: 100*rand. Look at the second screen.

Seeding the random number generator

Your calculator generates random numbers from an enormous list of numbers laid out in an alphabetical list. Here's the exciting part. You can select the location in the list you want your calculator to start producing random numbers. It is called"seeding" your numbers.

Make sure to think of some creative ways to use the number you select to seed your calculator. This is a great exercise! Find out how long you've been alive. The calculator you have is equipped with a command which can calculate this for you! Use these tips:

1. Click [2nd][0] in order to access the Catalog.Notice, your calculator is working in Alpha mode, as shown by the blinking A on 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 numbers in this form: MM.DDYY.Dates have to fall between 1950-2049. The date, June 1, 1968 is entered using the number: 06.0168.
4. Press [,].
5. Input today's date as a number in this format: MM.DDYY. January 2, 2013 is entered using the number: 01.0213.
6. Enter [ENTER] to discover how long you have been alive.See on the screen that first appears. Wow! 16,286 years sounds like old!

Following are the necessary steps you need to follow to make sure you are seeding your calculator correctly:

1. Enter the number that you will be applying to your calculator to be seeded. 16286. Of course, you could choose any number that is real to seed your calculator.
2. Press
3. To add the rand command, press
4. Press [ENTER] to seed on your calculator.See one of the lines of the next screen.
5. Try it! Try randInt( to generate the random number.See the last line in your second screen.

Do you want to impress your friends? Seed your calculator with results you know in advance. If, for instance, you intentionally seed your calculator using an amount of 16286, then the next three randomly generated numbers (from zero to 1000) that are generated are 203, 197, and 213, according to 3. Don't divulge 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 received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science & Mathematics Teaching. C.C. Edwards is an instructor and has led various workshops on using TI calculators.