Is MATLAB's Randomization Function Affected by Appending Numbers to Student IDs?

[emergentecon]

Homework Statement

Enter the following two commands, and copy and paste the output as your answer
> rand("state",student_number0917);
> rand(1)
where student_number0917 is your student number with "0917" at the end and with "-" removed.
For example, if your student number is 123-456-7, you would enter
> rand("state",12345670917);
> rand(1)


The problem is, we need to do this for each new assignment, and for each new assignment, we append a new number: 0917 (in this instance), then 0913, 0920, 0911 etc.

However, I always get the same result, no matter what number I append?
Am I missing something?

Homework Equations

> rand("state",1234567?);
> rand(1)

The Attempt at a Solution

>> clc; clear;
>> rand('state',312754190917)
>> rand(1)

ans =

0.662733934182293

OR


>> clc; clear;
>> rand('state',312754190913)
>> rand(1)

ans =

0.662733934182293

 

[jbunniii]

I got the same answers as you using my version of Matlab, R2012b.

It appears that the method indicated by your instructor used to work with older versions of Matlab, but now you need to use the "rng" command to set the state. See here:

http://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/math/updating-your-random-number-generator-syntax.html

 

[emergentecon]

Yeah, that is the exact version I am using . . . cool, will look into it!
I have emailed my Prof. (included your post) :)

Thanks!