Questions tagged [randomness]
Randomness is a way to mathematically model uncertainty. We often assume to have access to some well-defined source of random numbers, or that input values or events follow some probability distribution.
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questions
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Is there a theorem which relates calculating the total number of a combinatorial object with picking one at random?
A common algorithmic challenge is to generate an object of a certain kind, uniformly at random. For example, generating a random permutation of size $k$ from a given (multi)set of $N$ characters, as ...
3
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1answer
56 views
generalizing ball-bin problem to k-universal family
I am trying to solve a question in the book on Probability and Computing by Michael Mitzenmacher, Eli Upfal. The question asks to generalize ball-bin problem for 2-universal hashing to $k$-universal ...
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3answers
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How likely is for a pseudorandom number generator to generate a long sequence of similar numbers?
How likely is for a pseudorandom number generator to generate a long sequence of similar numbers? "Similar numbers" could be same numbers, or numbers from a given range.
For example, if we consider ...
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2answers
63 views
Can neural network process randomness?
So the question is : Is it theoretically possible to feed a neural network with some random values to expect an output since randomness is a lack of knowledge in most case.
For this question, I've ...
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1answer
37 views
Reservoir Sampling vs Round Robin
You are given a List of numbers (length unknown).
Let's say the length is 10.
GetRandom(List) is called once. If implemented correctly, each number has 1/10 probability of being returned.
GetRandom(...
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2answers
81 views
If current time in milliseconds is considered good enough random seed for a pseudorandom number generator, why not just use that time directly?
I was reading about pseudorandom number generators and how they need a seed and how that seed is usually current system time in milliseconds. One of the most common algorithms is the linear ...
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1answer
30 views
Simple generator of pseudo-random permutations of variable length short sequence
The problem in front of me is to write a function (from scratch) to permute n elements, where n is an argument. I decided to break it down to applying Knuth's shuffles algorithm, therefore I needed to ...
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1answer
48 views
Need help regarding random password generator: Urgent [closed]
I had generated a random password from a website which unfortunately has put me into trouble.
The password contains 26 characters which includes alphabets, numbers and special characters. My trouble ...
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1answer
55 views
Finding efficient randomized algorithm
I'm doing a course on randomized algorithms and
I've encountered a question that I'm struggling to solve.
Given a system of $m$ linear equations with $n$ variables over finite field $\mathbb{F_2}$ ...
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0answers
8 views
How to input random values (constraints) of any variables in case of formulating Linear Programming Problem?
Suppose,
Min 2x+3y
Subject to, x=2,x=5,x=7
y=5, y=9
is a linear program. Where x holds the values 2 or 5 or 7 and y holds the values 5 or 9. Then what should the correct ...
1
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1answer
39 views
Derandomize MAX-CUT problem using $\log n$ bits
Consider the MAX-CUT problem. We can flip $n$ coins to generate a random cut, and by linearity of expectation we get that with "good probability" our cut we'll be bigger then $\frac{n}{2}$.
Using ...
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0answers
23 views
Proving $BPP[\frac{1}{3},\frac{2}{3}] = BPP[a,a+\gamma]$ where $0<a<a+\gamma<1$
I can prove $BPP[\frac{1}{3},\frac{2}{3}] \subseteq BPP[a,a+\gamma]$ by sampling the promised $BPP[\frac{1}{3},\frac{2}{3}]$ Turing machine $k$ times and accept if $k\cdot(a+\frac{1}{2}\gamma)$ of the ...
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0answers
36 views
Are real computers capable of producing true random series with a program of finite length?
Suppose that one has a Blum–Shub–Smale machine. Is it possible to write down a program of finite length that produces a series of numbers, with each consisting of a finite number of digits, such that ...
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6answers
8k views
Can we generate random numbers using irrational numbers like π and e?
Irrational numbers like $\pi$, $e$ and $\sqrt{2}$ have a unique and non-repeating sequence after the decimal point. If we extract the $n$-th digit from such numbers (where $n$ is the number of times ...
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1answer
80 views
What doest it mean: “computer is an intelligence amplifier”?
There is one example in Kolmogorov complexity books and related articles:
Consider we have a monkey at a typewriter and a monkey at a computer keyboard.
If the monkey types at random on a typewriter,...
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2answers
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Simulating a probability of 1 of 2^N with less than N random bits
Say I need to simulate the following discrete distribution:
$$
P(X = k) =
\begin{cases}
\frac{1}{2^N}, & \text{if $k = 1$} \\
1 - \frac{1}{2^N}, & \text{if $k = 0$}
\end{cases}
$$
The most ...
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3answers
90 views
How good (or bad) is my makeshift PRNG?
Say I have designed a makeshift PRNG for my personal amusement, now I would like to see how good it is. How do I benchmark its "randomness"? Ideally, I want to know a statistics test, such that if I ...
3
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1answer
50 views
Random observations of a total ordering, how much they tell us?
Suppose we have a total ordering over elements $a_1,a_2, ..., a_n$, meaning there is permutation $\pi$ such that $a_{\pi(1)}<a_{\pi(2)}<...<a_{\pi(n)}$. But we don't know $\pi$. What we know ...
1
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1answer
55 views
Uniformly random iteration of subtrees
I want to iterate through the first $k$ elements of a randomly ordered list containing all subtrees for a given tree. The definition of subtrees that I'm using is: "A subtree of $T$ is a subgraph of $...
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1answer
77 views
PRNG for a gaussian distribution?
I need suggestions for algorithm for Pseudo random number generators that will produce a near gaussian distribution (bell curve) for automatically generating test data. I know that PRNG produce ...
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1answer
38 views
Sublinear Homomorphism Property Testing Counter Example
This is a homework question, so I'm not looking for answers, just general guidance.
I'm looking at a Sublinear Algorithms survey where (Group) Homomorphism property testing is discussed. The case of ...
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1answer
61 views
Concentration bound for sum of dependent geometric random variable?
consider following persudocode:
i=0
while(i< k):
uniformly pick u,v in V
if(uv in E):
remove uv form E;
i++;
let $T$ be the number of ...
1
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0answers
89 views
Matrix with zero spectral radius
I need an algorithm which generates a random matrix with spectral radius equal zero.
The only solution I have so far is to generate two vectors $v,w$, normal onto each other ($v\perp w$), and then ...
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1answer
92 views
Is there a name for this shuffle algorithm?
Is there a standard name for the following algorithm? At each step, the code picks an index, remove the object at that index, and remember to never pick that index again. See the following ...
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2answers
31 views
Random conditional association
I have a really specific problem to solve and i'm looking for an existing algorithm to help me (i hope i'm in the right section of stackExchange).
I would have to make "random" association between ...
1
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1answer
30 views
On uniform randomness of the weight of the remaining edges of a graph after deleting some of them
Suppose we have a graph $G(V,E,W)$, where $V$ and $E$ are the set of vertices and edges and $W$ is non-negative weight on the edges. Let $w(e)$ be the weight of edge $e$ and $N(e)$ be the neighboring ...
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1answer
192 views
Is it possible to simulate a fair coin with a finite number of tossing of a biased one?
It is a classic problem to simulate a fair coin with a biased one.
According to Fair Coin (wiki),
John von Neumann gave the following procedure:
Toss the coin twice.
If the results ...
2
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2answers
331 views
How to determine seed collision probability in a PRNG?
I want to use a PRNG to generate random patterns. I would provide the PRNG with a hash value as a seed. Ideally, the seed size would be 64-bit or 128-bit and I would expect no collisions if the seeds ...
2
votes
1answer
32 views
Is there a complexity class “BQP without error”?
I was wondering if there is a complexity class for problems that can be solved efficiently by a quantum computer such that it always gives the right answer? For example the Deutsch-Josza algorithm ...
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0answers
120 views
Generate higher dimensional pink noise
1D Pink noise, is easy enough to generate. See https://www.dsprelated.com/showarticle/908.php for example.
What about higher-dimensional pink noise, such as 2D or 3D pink noise? Is there an algorithm ...
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1answer
145 views
How could you characterize “true randomness” of a finite sequence?
This question occurred to me while reading http://arxiv.org/abs/1806.08762/ Any observed sequence is necessarily finite, and any finite sequence is computable, either by explicitly storing all the ...
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1answer
73 views
Finding the Entropy of a random experiment with probability of $\frac{1}{3}$
Entropy is the randomness collected by an operating system or application for use in Cryptography or other uses that require random data. The formula for Entropy is $$H(p_1, ..., p_k)=-\sum_{i=1}^{k} ...
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1answer
386 views
Generating uniformly random bits from a stream of arbitrarily biased bits
Say we have a function called GenBiasedBit. This function returns 1 with probability p (where p is an unknown real number between 0 and 1 exclusive) and returns 0 with probability 1 − p. How could I ...
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votes
11answers
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Is von Neumann's randomness in sin quote no longer applicable?
Some chap said the following:
Anyone who attempts to generate random numbers by deterministic means is, of course, living in a state of sin.
That's always taken to mean that you can't generate ...
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1answer
58 views
Are there any stochastic models of non determinism in the rate of program execution?
We know that typical operating systems and high level languages (especially those with garbage collection) cannot be used for real time operating systems. Java & jet engines don't mix, and ...
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2answers
63 views
Would using mouse position in the below scenario generate true random numbers?
I'm having trouble wrapping my head around random number generation so I figure it would be better to ask now, rather than screw up later.
Let's say I want to write a function that generates a random ...
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3answers
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Problem with the pseudo random number generator One-Time-Pad
I've started learning cryptography in class and we've come across One-Time-Pads, in which the key (uniformally agreed upon) is as long as the message itself. Then you turn the message into bits, do $...
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1answer
192 views
Placing small circles randomly inside a larger circle, where no two small circles intersect
Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, was unsure...let me know if it belongs some where else.
So i am trying to work out a way to write an algorithm to place a series of small circles of a set ...
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1answer
104 views
Why doesn't this put $BPP$ in $NP$?
From Sipser Gacs we know $x\in L(M)$ for a machine $M\in BPP$ $\iff$ $$\exists t_1,\dots,t_{|r|}\forall r\in\{0,1\}^{|r|}\vee_{i\in\{1,\dots,|r|\}}M(x,r\oplus t_i)=1.$$
From Adleman we know $x\in L(M)...
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1answer
100 views
RNG: removing bias by counting bits
I have a hardware RNG that sends me some random bits. Due to nature of that RNG, the source is biased. Then, the bitstream is processed in a following way to remove the bias:
two counters are used, ...
2
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1answer
230 views
Expected Linear time Minimum Spanning Tree algorithm
I am trying to understand the proposed "Randomized Linear-Time Algorithm to Find MST".
My findings:
I have read and search almost every available resource( main paper, wiki, reports on paper, lecture ...
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1answer
42 views
Looping through random integers - will it halt with probability 1?
Say I have a simple program that has the pseudocode like this:
...
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1answer
38 views
Randomly choose a line - algorithm
We have a large file that can't fit into internal memory. How do we randomly pick one line so that each line has the same probability to be picked?
And how do we randomly pick such n lines so that ...
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3answers
2k views
How to select a binary tree node uniformly at random
The exercise I'm trying to solve is
You are implementing a binary search tree class from scratch, which, in addition, to insert, find and delete, has a method ...
2
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2answers
61 views
Indexing a random permutation
I am curious if there exists a method for specifying a permutation $F_k: X \to X$ with a small(ish) $k$.
Something that comes very close to my goal is a block cipher, say AES. But block ciphers have ...
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2answers
424 views
What Good Is Kolmogorov Complexity Since It Is Relative?
Kolmogorov complexity is relative to a choice of Universal Turing Machine. Because of the Invariance Theorem, the difference in complexity assigned by two Universal Turing Machines is bounded by a ...
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1answer
126 views
Fitness model for scale free networks
In order to generate scale-free networks, we can use this algorithm, derived from Barabási–Albert model:
1) we assign every node a "weight" $\theta_i$ (or two in the direct case).
2) we place $m$ ...
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3answers
84 views
Given a sufficiently powerful computer and model, can dice rolls be predicted?
I guess that this is a chaos, randomness and modelling question. Can it be conceived that a sufficiently powerful (perhaps quantum) computer might be able to accurately predict the scores on a ...
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0answers
60 views
What is the relationship between entropy rate and quantization?
I have a totally random source of signal data that looks like a typical normal distribution. I've included an image as I like pictures:-
The source has a mean of 0, and a standard deviation of 1. ...
0
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1answer
39 views
TRNG by hamming distance of processor tics
I hardly remember on a lecture, where it was told, that the distance of the practical actual running-speed of a processor to the previous tic is used, to generated a true random entropy for seeding. ...
