Math Help - MATLAB - Random Number Generation

1. MATLAB - Random Number Generation

Hi.

Basically I want to generate four random numbers in a certain interval, and they can't be equal (unlikely to happen, but just incase!).

So let's imagine, that, for example, that interval is [0.5,1]. I want to generate a number in that interval, use it in a calculation, then generate another number on that interval, and use that in the same calculation, etc.

So:

Code:
a1 = some number in [0.5,1]
operation on a1
a2 = some number in [0.5,1] not equal to a1
operation on a2
a3= some number in [0.5,1] not equal to a1 or a2
operation on a3
a4 = some number in [0.5,1] not equal to a1 or a2 or a3
operation on a4
I know that the 'rand' command generates a number on the interval [0 1]. Hrm. But I can't find any way to use that to meet my end.

2. I wrote something that works.

Code:
a = rand;
if a<0.5
a = a+0.5;
end

b = rand;
if b<0.5
b = b+0.5;
end
if b == a
while b == a
b = rand;
if b<0.5
b = b+0.5;
end
end
end

c = rand;
if c<0.5
c = c+0.5;
end
if c == a
while c == a
c = rand;
if c<0.5
c= c+0.5;
end
end
end
if c == b
while c == b
c = rand;
if c<0.5
c = c+0.5;
end
end
end
It works, but I'll be glad to hear of anything simpler?!

3. Originally Posted by Mush
Hi.

Basically I want to generate four random numbers in a certain interval, and they can't be equal (unlikely to happen, but just incase!).

So let's imagine, that, for example, that interval is [0.5,1]. I want to generate a number in that interval, use it in a calculation, then generate another number on that interval, and use that in the same calculation, etc.

So:

Code:
a1 = some number in [0.5,1]
operation on a1
a2 = some number in [0.5,1] not equal to a1
operation on a2
a3= some number in [0.5,1] not equal to a1 or a2
operation on a3
a4 = some number in [0.5,1] not equal to a1 or a2 or a3
operation on a4
I know that the 'rand' command generates a number on the interval [0 1]. Hrm. But I can't find any way to use that to meet my end.
Let the interval be (b,t) then somethink like:

Code:
function rv=RandIntvl(n,m,b,t)
%
%  function to produce a matrix of size nxm of random numbers
%  uniformly distributed on (b,t)
%
if t<=b
disp('error: b must be greater than t')
rv=[];
return
end

rv=rand(n,m);
rv=rv*(t-b)+b;
should do part of the trick (warning: untested code).

CB

4. [quote=CaptainBlack;268127]Let the interval be (b,t) then somethink like:

Code:
function rv=RandIntvl(n,m,b,t)
%
%  function to produce a matrix of size nxm of random numbers
%  uniformly distributed on (b,t)
%
if t<=b

:
:
How is it ensured that they are uniformly distributed? Does matlab do this by default when you create a matrix/vector of random numbers?

5. Originally Posted by Mush
How is it ensured that they are uniformly distributed? Does matlab do this by default when you create a matrix/vector of random numbers?
Code:

>help rand
CB