How to Generate Pseudorandom Numbers | Infinite Series

Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: to.pbs.org/donateinfi

What is a the difference between a random and a pseudorandom number? And what can pseudo random numbers allow us to do that random numbers can't?

Tweet at us! @pbsinfinite
Facebook: facebook.com/pbsinfinite series
Email us! pbsinfiniteseries [at] gmail [dot] com

Previous Episode
How many Cops to catch a Robber? | Infinite Series
youtube.com/watch?v=fXvN-pF76-E

Computers need to have access to random numbers. They’re used to encrypt information, deal cards in your game of virtual solitaire, simulate unknown variables -- like in weather prediction and airplane scheduling, and so much more. But How can a computer possibly produce a random number?

Written and Hosted by Kelsey Houston-Edwards
Produced by Rusty Ward
Graphics by Ray Lux
Assistant Editing and Sound Design by Mike Petrow
Made by Kornhaber Brown (www.kornhaberbrown.com)

Special Thanks to Alex Townsend

Big thanks to Matthew O'Connor and Yana Chernobilsky who are supporting us on Patreon at the Identity level!

And thanks to Nicholas Rose and Mauricio Pacheco who are supporting us at the Lemma level!