Probability, Statistics, and Random Number Generators
 PROBABILITY IN MY GARDEN |
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The Probability Net |
But first of all , Let's Think "SEQUENCE."
Sequences are so important.
* How many sequences can we make out of the number 3? Ans: One. The sequence is 3.
* How many sequences can we make out of the numbers 1 and 1? Ans. One. The sequence is 11.
* How many sequences can we make out of the numbers 2 and 3 if we don't care about the order? Ans: One. The sequence is 23 or 32. This is one sequence because we don't care about the order.
* How many sequences can we make out of the numbers 2 and 3 if we do care about the order? Ans: Two. The sequences are 23 and 32.
* How many sequences can we make out of the numbers 1,2, and 3 if we care about the order? Ans: Six.
- It is easy to count them manually if we want, but we can also count them without counting by using the FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF COUNTING, which says.... Click here to continue if you are interesed.
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What is a linear congruential random number generator? Look for
on this web page.
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Test results for a Hewlett Packard - HP42s. Look for
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Can Texas Instruments keep up with Hewlett Packard? See the test results. Look for
- It's Here. "THE UNFAIREST OF THE FAIR COINS!"
SAS code:
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Macros
My report on the distribution of earthquakes with respect to location, magnitude, and depth in the greater San Francisco Bay Area for 1997.
- WHOA, WAIT A MINUTE !!!
Does your calculator produce a sequence of PRN'S (pseudo random numbers) that actually acts like a sequence of random numbers???
Well, my guess is that whoever made your calculator may have hurriedly thrown in some linear congruential random number generator without testing to see how it worked. That means there's a possibility that a sequence of random numbers generated by your calculator isn't really going to act like you would expect a sequence of random numbers to act.
I have tested some of the calculators on the market and you can see the results on this page.
- What could be more unfair than the flip of a penny?
- Look for
on this web page.
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Ok, the first SUMMARY & RESULTS are in on a Hewlett Packard - model HP 48G.
- It looks like this HP 48G is a GREAT machine. Could I have been wrong? I'm not convinced. ( I am collecting new data for this machine. Keep Watch! )
- SUMMARY & RESULTS on the SHARP EL-506P, scientific calculator, are in. Guess what???
- Here we are with the SUMMARY & RESULTS for the HEWLETT PACKARD HP42S . It passed.
- As promissed the SUMMARY for the TI 92 is here. It did just fine.
Exploring Probability, Statistics, and Random Number Generators
- Exploration 1: How to really understand the Binomial Distribution.
- Exploration 2: Getting Down to Business: Flipping a coin and exploring its mysteries. (COMING SOON)
RANDOM NUMBER GENERATORS
What is a linear congruential random number generator?
Don't Trust a Penny. It's Just Not Fair!
For those who have interest in RNG's (random number generators) the following surely should be read.
Knuth, D.E.: The Art of Computer Programming, volume 2: Seminumerical Algorithms. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, MA, 2nd edition, 1981.
- It costs between 50 to 60 dollars, and is easily ordered
through your local bookstore.
The Problem from Dr. Stern's class that ruined my Spring vacation, 1995. -- Just kidding, Dr. Stern!
Well, here it is at last. Dr. Stern's 
problem.
Links:
Don't miss Rudy Rucker's CAPOW.
Random Statistical Quote of the Day
A Server on the Theory and Practice of Random Number Generation
What is XLISP-STAT and from where to download it for free
The odd-face icons are from Zeldman
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