Computer generated randomness (was Re: chaoplexity and institutions)

Les Schaffer godzilla at netmeg.net
Thu Aug 13 12:25:24 PDT 1998


Tom Lehman mused:

Tom> Dear Barkley, Do you recall assertions in the late 1970's

Tom> that there was no such thing as a computer generated random

Tom> number. Does anyone still hold this view?

if you want a graphical view of the issues involved in (pseudo-)random number generation on a computer for purposes of engineering and physics calculations (but not for digital encryption purposes, see DES instead), and you:

1.) have a Java capable browser, or can run Java standalone on your system

2.) have basic knowledge of the algebraic representation of a straight line in a plane

y = m * x + b

and

you aint afraid of a recursion relation:

x(n+1) = m * x(n) + b

(note its similarity to the straight line formula)

3.) know how to plots pairs of points in a plane

then check out:

http://www.math.utah.edu/~alfeld/Random/Random.html

enjoy..........

-- ____ Les Schaffer godzilla at netmeg.net ___| --->> Engineering R&D <<--- Theoretical & Applied Mechanics | Designspring, Inc. Center for Radiophysics & Space Research | Westport, CT USA Cornell Univ. schaffer at tam.cornell.edu | les at designspring.com



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