WP34S: Question about Ran# in integer modes

[Paul Dale]

In integer mode, the random number generator is producing a sixty four bit random number using two sequential calls to the Tausworthe generator . This is then truncated and made unsigned according to the current mode (which will lose the sign bit and can change the bit pattern).

In binary or equivalent bases (4, 8 or 16), the digits should be completely random (at least in unsigned mode and most likely in all other modes). In other bases, there will be some small bias. Additionally, a shorter word length will increase the bias typically.


- Pauli