Thread: Question about rand() function

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    14

    Question about rand() function

    Hi again,

    I read in the C++ book that rand() function returns a random number and that in order to get a random number in a range that you want, the formula is:

    1-6,
    Code:
    1 + rand() % 6
    And that rand() % 6 would return 0-6, and then the +1 would make that 1-7 though?

    Also, if I run
    Code:
     rand() % 13
    it never returns 13, only 0-12, but can't you get 13 if you divide the right number as the remainder?

    Thanks again.
    Last edited by learning C++; 12-25-2003 at 01:53 PM.

  2. #2
    Been here, done that.
    Join Date
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    Posts
    1,164

    Re: Question about rand() function

    Originally posted by learning C++
    Hi again,
    Hi

    I read in the C++ book that rand() function returns a random number and that in order to get a random number in a range that you want, the formula is:

    1-6,
    Code:
    1 + (rand() % 6) // add parens for clarity
    And that rand() % 6 would return 0-6,
    and then the +1 would make that 1-7 though?
    No, it returns 0-5, then the +1 gives 1-6

    Also, if I run
    Code:
     rand() % 13
    it never returns 13, only 0-12, but can't you get 13 if you divide the right number as the remainder?
    Don't know what you are asking here.
    The right number to get 0-13 is 14


    Thanks again.
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