RockWorks | Utilities | Statistics | Random
This program is used to generate random numbers within a specified range, either completely random or with a normal distribution, for recording back to the main datasheet. This utility can generate both positive and negative numbers with or without decimal values.
Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary
- Data Columns
- Output - Random Data: Select the column into which the data will be recorded by clicking on the down-arrow and select the column name. Be warned that any existing data in the column will be overwritten within the specified rows!
- Options
- Rows: Start, End: Enter the range of row numbers in the datasheet where the randomly generated numbers are to be stored. For example, setting Start to 25 and End to 50 would cause the program to generate 26 random numbers and list them in the selected column, in starting in row 25.
- Data Type
- Completely Random: Choose this option for the program to generate completely random numbers within the defined data range.
- Minimum, Maximum: Enter into these prompts the minimum and maximum values for the range of numbers to be randomly generated. This establishes the upper and lower limits for the randomly-generated data. Negative numbers can be specified.
- Normal Distribution: Select this option if the numbers are to be generated within a normal distribution.
- Mean: Enter the mean value desired for this set of randomly-generated numbers. A decimal value may be used for this user-input number as necessary.
- Standard Deviation: Enter the number of standard deviations above and below the mean to be represented in the set of randomly-generated numbers.
- Decimals: Type into this prompt box the number of decimal places to be displayed in the set of generated numbers.
- Adjust Output Column Title and Parameters: Check this item to assign a title, data type (typically "Generic, Text"), and alignment for the output column. See Column Properties for more information.
- Access the RockWorks Datasheet program tab.
- Enter/open/import a data file or create a new datasheet for the random numbers. Be sure that the datasheet contains at least one blank column for recording of the random numbers.
- Select the Utilities | Stats | Random menu option.
- Enter the requested settings, described above.
- Click Process to continue.
The program will randomly generate numbers within the user-defined parameters and store them in the selected column in the datasheet.
Back to Statistics Menu Summary
RockWare home page