RANDDOM DIGITS ON THE TI-84
Generating random digits on the TI-83 is pretty simple. The procedure given here generates integers
between any two desired integers, and as long as list as desired. For convenience in reading the list, and
for compatibility with the table of random digits, the list length here will be given as 5 integers.
Pressing the MATH button (third button down on the left) calls up a list of functions and a ribbon menu
across the top of the screen which reads MATH NUM CPX PRB. Use the cursor arrows to move to the
PRB menu entry. A new menu of functions appears which includes 5: randInt(. Pressing either the 5
key or the ENTER key returns control to the home screen with the prompt randInt( displayed.
Special Note: It is best to clear the calculator home screen before starting this operation. If
there is already a prompt on the home screen, the randint( prompt will be appended to it, and
the calculator will not know what to do with the combined instruction.
This command requires three arguments, i.e., three numbers should be typed in after the prompt, with
the numbers separated by commas, so the completed command appears as randint(a,b,c).
a - The first is the smallest acceptable integer. This will usually be zero or 1.
b - The largest acceptable integer.
c - How many integers should be produced (list length). Seven two-digit inters will fit on the
screen without having to scroll left or right, but five is sometimes a more convenient number to
show. As stated above, five single digit sequences have the advantage of looking like the table
of random digits.
After the three numbers are entered, type a closing parenthesis, ) ( note: if you don’t type the closing
parenthesis, the calculator will supply it), and press the ENTER key. A list of random integers appears
meeting the conditions prescribed by the three arguments. For example,
randInt(1,8,5,) might produce the list {6 8 6 3 1}
randInt(1,75,5) might produce the list {75 15 30 9 19}
The examples above are screen captures of lists produced in actual trials with a calculator. In the first,
there are 5 numbers, as prescribed by the last argument, and they are single digits between 1 and 8
(inclusive) as prescribed by the first two arguments. The second list also has five numbers, as
prescribed, but they are one or two digit numbers between 1 and 75 (inclusive) as prescribed by the first
two digits.
If a second list of numbers is required, it is not necessary to type the command again. Pressing the
ENTER key at this point will cause the calculator to produce another list of random digits satisfying the
conditions in the original command. This may be repeated as many times as desired. An example of this
is shown below. Six repetitions are shown so that the original command is still on the screen, but the
calculator will produce more lists until the fingers break off or the batteries die.