Generating Random Numbers in Questions

The algorithm syntax in the system allows you to generate random numbers in a variety of ways, depending on your requirements and preferences.  This table summarizes functions related to random number generation. For a list of Maple™ functions that can be used to generate random numbers, refer to your Maple documentation.

 

Function

Range of Operation

Example

Description

rint(n)

0, ..., n-1

rint(3)

= 0, 1, or 2

Returns a random integer between 0 and n-1 (inclusive).  Generates n variations.  

 

rint(m,n)

m, ..., n-1

rint(3,6)

= 3, 4, or 5

Returns a random integer between m and n-1 (inclusive).  Generates n-m variations.

 

rint(m,n,k)

m, m+k, m+2k, ..., m+q*k (where q is the largest integer such that  m+q*k<=n-k)

rint(3,12,3)

= 3, 6, or 9

Returns a random integer between m and n-1 (inclusive) in steps of k.  Generates approximately (n-m)/k variations.

 

range(n)

1, ..., n

range(3)

= 1, 2, or 3

Returns a random integer between 1 and n (inclusive).  Generates n variations.

 

range(m,n)

m, ..., n

range(3,6)

= 3, 4, 5, or 6

Returns a random integer between m and n (inclusive).  Generates (n-m)+1 variations.

 

range(m,n,k)

m, m+k, m+2k, ..., m+q*k (where q is the largest integer such that  m+q*k<=n)

range(3,12,3)

= 3, 6, 9, or 12

Returns a random integer between m and n (inclusive), in steps of k.  Generates approximately (n-m)/k +1

variations.

 

rand(m,n)

 

m, ..., n

rand(0.5,9.5)

= all real numbers between 0.5 and 9.5 (inclusive)

Returns a random real number between m and n (inclusive).

 

rand(m,n,k)

m, ..., n expressed to k significant figures

rand(0.5,9.5,3)

= all real numbers between 0.5 and 9.5 (inclusive), expressed to 3 significant figures

Returns a random real number between m and n (inclusive), expressed to k significant figures

 

See Also:

Tutorial: Algorithmic Question

Tutorial: List-based Variables

Tutorial: Maple-based Algorithmic Question Authoring