rand

Generate uniform random values on the interval (0,1).

Syntax

r = rand()

r = rand(n)

r = rand(m,n,...)

r = rand([m,n,...])

rand('seed',seed)

v = rand('state')

rand('state',v)

Inputs

m, n, ...
The length of each dimension in the output matrix.
When only n is specified the matrix is n x n.
Type: integer
Dimension: scalar
seed
A seed value to initialize the random number generator.
Type: nonnegative integer
Dimension: scalar
v
A vector containing the state of the random number generator.
Type: integer
Dimension: vector

Outputs

r
Uniform random values.
v
A vector containing the state of the random number generator.
Type: integer
Dimension: vector

Examples

Square matrix example:
rand('seed',0);
r = rand(3)
r = [Matrix] 3 x 3
0.54881  0.84427  0.54488
0.59284  0.60276  0.84725
0.71519  0.85795  0.42365
Rectangular matrix example:
rand('seed',0);
r = rand(2,4)
r = [Matrix] 2 x 4
0.54881  0.71519  0.60276  0.54488
0.59284  0.84427  0.85795  0.84725

Comments

rand() generates scalar outputs.

The random number generator algorithm is the Mersenne Twister.

The seed value initializes the generator state and has no post-initialization significance. It does not update as the generator is used, as happens in some generators. If the seed is not set, it defaults to 0 the first time that the generator is used.

The state vector can be accessed and restored later if more than one random sequence is desired. For example:

        rand('seed', 2017);    % initialize with seed
        v = rand('state');     % save state vector
        rand('seed', 2018);    % initialize with new seed
        rand('state', v);      % restore saved state

Only create state vectors by setting seed values.