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???
12/19/07 17:04
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#148518 - how random is "Random"?
Responding to: ???'s previous message
The chi-square test is one type of statistical test used to determine how well the distribution of a set of generated numbers matches the theoretical distribution. If there are k categories, and numbers are equally distributed across the categories, then the theoretical distribution is 1/k for each category. This test will tell you if the pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) is biased toward a aprticular range of numbers.

BUT! it's not the only randomness test. There are also non-parametric statistical test (check for "runs tests") to see if the PRNG is biased toward certain subtle combinations (i.e. a 23 will follow a 76 over 50% of the time...which ain't good).

In the particular locale where Alan and I live (Nevada, USA) a good PRNG is a valuable company asset and a carefully guarded trade secret. PRNGs in commercial equipment are regulated by a state government body and have to pass numerous tests before being certified for use.
Jack Peacock

List of 53 messages in thread
TopicAuthorDate
let's discuss random numbers            01/01/70 00:00      
   Radomness            01/01/70 00:00      
   chi squared....            01/01/70 00:00      
      51 related            01/01/70 00:00      
   how random is "Random"?            01/01/70 00:00      
      Quantifying randomness            01/01/70 00:00      
   Use one table in the memory            01/01/70 00:00      
   no 'mathematical solution can do that            01/01/70 00:00      
      I like your response            01/01/70 00:00      
   ADC and noise            01/01/70 00:00      
      reminds me of a funny story            01/01/70 00:00      
         Simple local shielding would have helped            01/01/70 00:00      
         Bad design!            01/01/70 00:00      
   The counter and button seems perfect to me            01/01/70 00:00      
   Not sure why people have problems with RNG            01/01/70 00:00      
      what I got out of all of this            01/01/70 00:00      
         Not quite?            01/01/70 00:00      
            And if there isn't a button?            01/01/70 00:00      
         no            01/01/70 00:00      
         More Not Quite            01/01/70 00:00      
            chi square isn't enough            01/01/70 00:00      
               Quantified randomness            01/01/70 00:00      
      By Definition            01/01/70 00:00      
      RNG schemes can be malicious!            01/01/70 00:00      
   pseudo IS pseudo, not random            01/01/70 00:00      
   A really good reference            01/01/70 00:00      
   Is radioactive decay truely random?            01/01/70 00:00      
      Correction            01/01/70 00:00      
      Is anything truly random?            01/01/70 00:00      
         Chaos is...            01/01/70 00:00      
            Chaos is not random.            01/01/70 00:00      
               I didnt tell that it is random            01/01/70 00:00      
   Visual randomness test            01/01/70 00:00      
      Las Vegas            01/01/70 00:00      
      Only for an indefinite number of pixels            01/01/70 00:00      
         How about a coin toss experiment, sort of.            01/01/70 00:00      
            Set of what ?            01/01/70 00:00      
               But my point is that you can know.            01/01/70 00:00      
                  This is wrong, sorry!            01/01/70 00:00      
                     Are you even reading what I wrote?            01/01/70 00:00      
                        A random system is....            01/01/70 00:00      
                           AKA the LCE            01/01/70 00:00      
                           Random is            01/01/70 00:00      
                        Of course, I did            01/01/70 00:00      
                           Before we proceed, ...            01/01/70 00:00      
                              Randomness versus determinism            01/01/70 00:00      
                                 Applying the uncertainty principle            01/01/70 00:00      
                                    Thanks            01/01/70 00:00      
                                       You're welcome            01/01/70 00:00      
                  It is still Random            01/01/70 00:00      
            Depends            01/01/70 00:00      
   Normal distribution.            01/01/70 00:00      
   A random # generator circuit.            01/01/70 00:00      

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