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brandonlind2
7,823 PointsWill this RandomNumber generation do the same thing without future problems or am I missing something?
The teacher taught when generating random numbers between two values to use Math.floor(Math.random() * (top - lower + 1)) + lower. I keep making a typo though and typing it this way Math.floor(Math.floor(Math.random() * (top - lower) + lower) + 1; but this seems to work fine. Is the way to generate number obsolute, if I dont correct this habbit will it cause problems in the future or can I continue to write this way? Also is the + 1 one necessary when generating two values? I thought the + 1 was originally to keep the random number from being 0, but if you're setting the lower number it shouldnt already be zero.
1 Answer
Jason Anders
Treehouse Moderator 145,858 PointsHey Brandon,
For the first part of your question, mathematically it doesn't make a difference if you add lower first or after adding the one. For me, I think just for style and readability of the code, it is 'nicer' adding the lower at the end, but that is entirely up to you.
For the second part, adding the one is necessary. Math.random() generates a random float from (and including) Zero up to (but not including) One.
Because of the float that will be generated, the closest you can get to One is 0.999999999 (example). So, because you will never get a One, and you are using Math.floor(), it is impossible for the top number in the range to ever come up (because you always round down).
Example. Range of 2 to 10. Math.random() generates 0.925734 which is multiplied by 8 (top - bottom) to get 7.405872. If we don't add the One and just add the lower range of 2, we get 9.405872 and we Math.floor() to 9. Now if we add the One we get 10.405872 and with Math.floor(), now we get 10 instead. So without adding One, you can run the generator an infinite number of times, but you will never generate a 10 (top value).
I hope this makes sense and helps your understanding. Keep Coding! :)
brandonlind2
7,823 Pointsbrandonlind2
7,823 PointsThat makes sense. Thanks, I appreciate the in depth explanation!