Difference between revisions of "W1292 Useful Randomness"
From Coder Merlin
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== Research == | == Research == | ||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_number_generation Random Number Generation] | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_number_generation Random Number Generation] (Wikipedia) | ||
* [http://theconversation.com/how-random-is-your-randomness-and-why-does-it-matter-59958 How Random is Your Randomness?] | * [http://theconversation.com/how-random-is-your-randomness-and-why-does-it-matter-59958 How Random is Your Randomness?] | ||
* [https://theconversation.com/the-search-for-the-value-of-pi-55744 The Search for π] | * [https://theconversation.com/the-search-for-the-value-of-pi-55744 The Search for π] | ||
* [https://developer.apple.com/documentation/swift/int/2995648-random Random Function for Int] (Swift Documentation) | |||
* [https://developer.apple.com/documentation/swift/double/2995409-random Random Function for Double] (Swift Documentation) | |||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
Revision as of 18:36, 5 April 2020
Within these castle walls be forged Mavens of Computer Science ...
— Merlin, The Coder
Prerequisites[edit]
Research[edit]
- Random Number Generation (Wikipedia)
- How Random is Your Randomness?
- The Search for π
- Random Function for Int (Swift Documentation)
- Random Function for Double (Swift Documentation)
Background[edit]
The value of π can be calculated by:
- Randomly throwing "darts" at a unit circle
- Counting the total number of "darts", N
- Counting the number of "darts" that fall within the unit circle, C
- The ratio of the area inside the circle to the total area is C/N
- The value of π is four times this value (because the area of the total square is 2 units x 2 units)
Prepare[edit]
Create a new directory in your ~/Experiences directory named "project-1292". Use emacs to edit a file named "main.swift":
zay-vin@codermerlin:~$ cd ~/Experiences
zay-vin@codermerlin:~/Experiences$ mkdir project-1292
zay-vin@codermerlin:~/Experiences$ cd project-1292
zay-vin@codermerlin:~/Experiences/project-1292$ touch main.swift
zay-vin@codermerlin:~/Experiences/project-1292$ makeSwiftMake
zay-vin@codermerlin:~/Experiences/project-1292$ emacs main.swift
Helpful Hint
You can run your program with:
zay-vin@codermerlin:~/Experiences/project-1292$ run
Observe
Observe, Ponder, and Journal: Section 1
Complete your program, then answers these questions.
- Estimate the value of π using your program
- Throw 100 darts (N = 100). What result do you obtain?
- Throw 1000 darts (N = 1000). What result do you obtain?
- How is the second result different from your previous result?
- How large should N be to accurately estimate π to five digits?
- How important is it that the dart be "thrown" randomly?
Exercises[edit]
Key Concepts[edit]
Key Concepts
- Random numbers meet the following two criteria:
- Even distribution over a defined interval
- Impossible to predict subsequent values based upon previous values
- Random numbers can be very useful in certain circumstances
