Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Random numbers are a sequence of numbers that are generated in an unpredictable and non-repetitive manner. They are commonly used in algorithms to introduce randomness and make processes more unpredictable.
Related terms
Pseudorandom Numbers: Pseudorandom numbers are generated using deterministic algorithms that produce sequences that appear random but can be replicated given the same starting point.
Seed Value: A seed value is an initial input for generating random or pseudorandom numbers. It determines the starting point for the generation process.
Uniform Distribution: Uniform distribution refers to the property of having an equal probability for each possible outcome when generating random or pseudorandom numbers.