Random number generator 1-100 on iPhone, and any other range

When you need a random number

Guessing games, picking a student by seat number, choosing a page of a book to read, deciding which ticket wins, starting a board game with a random player: all of them come down to one fair number between two limits.

Thinking of a number yourself is not fair. People avoid the ends of a range and favour certain digits. A generator gives every value the same chance, and nobody at the table can accuse you of choosing.

How to get a random number from 1 to 100

The number generator sits right at the top of the Home tab, so there is no need to look for a menu.

1. Open Random. You land on the Home tab.
2. Tap the Min field and type the lowest number you want, for example 1.
3. Tap the Max field and type the highest, for example 100.
4. Tap Generate. The number appears in large digits.
5. Tap Generate again for a new number. Each tap is a fresh, independent draw.

If you prefer a screen with only the generator on it, scroll the Home list and open Number. It works the same way.

How likely is each number?

Every number in the range has the same chance: 1 divided by how many numbers there are. Both limits count, so a range of 1 to 10 holds 10 numbers and 0 to 100 holds 101.

Why do numbers repeat?

Each draw starts from the full range again, so the number you just got can come up on the very next tap. Repeats come sooner than most people expect. This is the same effect as two people in a small group sharing a birthday.

So a repeat after a handful of draws from 1 to 10 is not a fault. With just four draws, it is almost a coin toss.

Random number generator with no repeats

When every number may come out only once, such as numbering the order of presentations or drawing several prizes, use the bingo drum instead. It removes each number once it has been drawn.

1. On the Home tab, open Bingo.
2. Type the top of your range next to Max numbers: , for example 30 for a class of 30.
3. Tap Generate once for each number you need.
4. Read the order from the board of called balls under the big number. The counter shows how many are out, such as 12 / 30.

The drum always starts at 1 and goes up to 9999 at most. For a range such as 50 to 80 without repeats, draw from 1 to 31 and add 49 to each result.

Common mistakes

• Min larger than Max: not a problem, the app swaps them. Min 100 and Max 0 draws from 0 to 100.
• A field turns red: it holds something other than a whole number. Fix it and tap Generate again.
• Negative numbers: the keypad has no minus key. For -10 to 10, draw from 1 to 21 and subtract 11.
• Several numbers at once: the generator gives one number per tap. Tap once per number you need, or use Bingo if they must all differ.

The app does not keep a list of past results. If you need to show later what came out, take a screenshot or record the screen while you draw.

Questions and answers

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