CPM Teacher Tutorials

TI-84: Generating Random Numbers

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  TI-84 Video: Generating Random Numbers  (YouTube) (Vimeo)

1. Be sure you "seed" your calculator. This will ensure that the same random numbers do not appear on everyone's calculator. Enter a random number in the calculator such as the student ID number or telephone number. Then press [STO->] [MATH] "PRB" "1:rand".

Note: This step only needs to be completed once unless you reset the calculator!  And you will not get the same numbers!

Be sure you "seed" your calculator.  This will insure that the same random numbers do not appear on everyone's calculator. Enter a random number in the calculator such as the student ID number or telephone number. Then press [STO->] [MATH] "PRB" "1:rand".

2. Specify the minimum and maximum integers possible, and how many random integers to generate. For example, [MATH] "PRB" "5:randInt(1,10,5)" [ENTER] generates 5 numbers between 1 and 10.

Note: Hit [Enter] to get 5 more random numbers between 1 and 10. Of course, you will not likely get the same random numbers.

Specify the minimum and maximum integers possible, and how many random integers to generate.  For example, [MATH] "PRB" "5:randInt(1,10,5)" [ENTER] generates 5 numbers between 1 and 10.

3. To simulate flipping a coin, let '0' be heads and '1' be tails. For example, [MATH] "PRB" "5:randInt(0,1,6)" [ENTER] generates 6 numbers between 0 and 1. All of the '0's are Heads. All of the '1's are Tails!

The image below shows 3 heads and 3 tails. Then it shows 4 heads and 2 tails.

To simulate flipping a coin, let '0' be heads and '1' be tails.  For example, [MATH] "PRB" "5:randInt(0,1,6)" [ENTER] generates 6 numbers between 0 and 1. All of the '0's are Heads.  All of the '1's are Tails!

4. To simulate rolling dice, go to [MATH] "PRB" "5:randInt(1,6,2)" [ENTER] generates 2 numbers between 1 and 6.

The image below shows rolling a die three times and the results.

To simulate rolling dice, go to [MATH] "PRB" "5:randInt(1,6,2)" [ENTER] generates 2 numbers between 1 and 6.

5. You could also generate a lot of numbers and store them in a list. For example, [MATH] "PRB" "5:randInt(1,10,100" [ENTER] generates 100 numbers between 1 and 10. Then [STO->] [2nd] 'L1' will place the numbers in List 1.

You could also generate a lot of numbers and store them in a list. For example, [MATH] "PRB" "5:randInt(1,10,100" [ENTER] generates 100 numbers between 1 and 10. Then [STO->] [2nd] 'L1' will place the numbers in List 1.
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CC Integrated II eTools - T

General Tools 8
Chapter 1 10
Chapter 2 9
Chapter 3 9
Chapter 4 5
Chapter 5 3
Chapter 6 3
Chapter 7 2
Chapter 8 2
Chapter 9 3
Chapter 10 3
Chapter 11 1

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