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Instant-use add-on functions for the Wolfram Language

Function Repository Resource:

 RandomDotOrgReal

Source Notebook

Generate a random real number using the random.org service

Contributed by: Jan Mangaldan

ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][]

gives a random real number in the range 0 to 1 using the random.org service.

ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][{xmin,xmax}]

gives a random real number in the range xmin to xmax.

ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][xmax]

gives a random real number in the range 0 to xmax.

ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][range,n]

gives a list of n random reals.

ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][range,{n1,n2,…}]

gives an n1×n2×… array of random reals.

Details and Options

random.org is a true random number service that generates randomness via atmospheric noise, which for many purposes is better than the pseudorandom number algorithms typically used in computer programs.
ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"] gives a different sequence of random reals whenever it is evaluated.
It is more efficient to generate multiple random numbers in a single call (e.g. ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][range,n]) instead of generating them one at a time (e.g. Table[ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][range],{n}]).

Examples

Basic Examples (6) 

A random real number in the range 0 to 1:

In[1]:=
ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][]
Out[1]=

A random real number in the range -10 to 10:

In[2]:=
ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][{-10, 10}]
Out[2]=

A random real number in the range 0 to 10:

In[3]:=
ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][10]
Out[3]=

Five random reals in the range 0 to 1:

In[4]:=
ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][1, 5]
Out[4]=

A 3×2 array of random reals in the range -1 to 1:

In[5]:=
ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][{-1, 1}, {3, 2}]
Out[5]=

Random coordinates for 4 points in 3 dimensions:

In[6]:=
ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][1, {4, 3}]
Out[6]=

Applications (5) 

A random walk:

In[7]:=
ListLinePlot[ Accumulate[ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][{-1, 1}, 100]]]
Out[7]=

Circles at random positions:

In[8]:=
Graphics[Circle /@ ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][10, {40, 2}]]
Out[8]=

Random array of gray levels:

In[9]:=
ArrayPlot[ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][1, {30, 40}]]
Out[9]=

Spheres at random positions:

In[10]:=
Graphics3D[ Sphere /@ ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][10, {50, 3}]]
Out[10]=

Two-dimensional random walk:

In[11]:=
Graphics[ Line[Accumulate[ ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][{-1, 1}, {500, 2}]]]]
Out[11]=

Three-dimensional random walk:

In[12]:=
Graphics3D[ Line[Accumulate[ ResourceFunction["RandomDotOrgReal"][{-1, 1}, {500, 3}]]]]
Out[12]=

Version History

  • 1.0.0 – 09 January 2023

Related Resources

Author Notes

The implementation is adapted from https://tpfto.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/using-the-random-org-generator-in-mathematica/

License Information