Understanding Random Numbers in Physics

  • Thread starter Thread starter zelldot
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Work
AI Thread Summary
In physics, all phenomena can be quantified, leading to discussions about randomness in computing. When using functions like rand(1,50) to generate random numbers, the output is not truly random but "pseudo random," as it relies on algorithms and system time for generation. This raises questions about the nature of randomness in a logical system like a computer. The distinction between true randomness and pseudo randomness is crucial for understanding computational processes. Ultimately, while computers can simulate randomness, the numbers they produce are determined by specific inputs and algorithms.
zelldot
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
In the world of physics everything is given a number and everything can be worked out...

...when I am programing and i give the computer the code rand(1,50) to generate a random number from 1 to 50, how does it pick, if the computer is so logical? how can something so logical be totally unlogical with that one bis of code? a random number is not logical is it? if that makes sense at all?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
They are not random although appear to be. The technical term is "pseudo random number." See this http://acm.uva.es/p/v3/350.html .
 
Last edited by a moderator:
yeah, there are no "random" numbers in computers. only "pseudo random" numbers. e.g., in C/C++, the "pseudo random" number is generated from the system time. so its not really "random". it depends on the system time.
 
Link

Please see the link below.

http://web.utk.edu/~rpevey/NE582/lesson3.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I was reading documentation about the soundness and completeness of logic formal systems. Consider the following $$\vdash_S \phi$$ where ##S## is the proof-system making part the formal system and ##\phi## is a wff (well formed formula) of the formal language. Note the blank on left of the turnstile symbol ##\vdash_S##, as far as I can tell it actually represents the empty set. So what does it mean ? I guess it actually means ##\phi## is a theorem of the formal system, i.e. there is a...
Back
Top