Random Number Generation

Random Number Generation

Biostatistics 615/815 Lecture 13

Today

z Random Number Generators

? Key ingredient of statistical computing

z Discuss properties and defects of alternative generators

Some Uses of Random Numbers

z Simulating data

? Evaluate statistical procedures ? Evaluate study designs ? Evaluate program implementations

z Controling stochastic processes

? Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo methods

z Selecting questions for exams

Random Numbers and Computers

z Most modern computers do not generate truly random sequences

z Instead, they can be programmed to produce pseudo-random sequences

? These will behave the same as random

sequences for a wide-variety of applications

Uniform Deviates

z Fall within specific interval (usually 0..1) z Potential outcomes have equal probability

z Usually, one or more of these deviates are used to generate other types of random numbers

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