pseudorandom

English

Alternative forms

• pseudo-random

Etymology

From pseudo- +‎ random.

Pronunciation

• Audio (US):

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Adjective

pseudorandom (not comparable)

1. Of a sequence of numbers, such that it has all the properties of a random sequence following some probability distribution (except true randomness), but is actually generated using a deterministic algorithm.
   • 1941, Isabel Fonseca, Memoirs, Society for American Archaeology, Issues 25-30, Society for American Archaeology, page 31:

     Simple random samples were chosen from an ordered list with the aid of a Pseudo Random Digit Generator affiliated with the Computer Data Corporation Fortran Compiler.

   • 2016, John Aycock, Retrogame Archeology, Springer, →ISBN, page 113:

     Elite uses a pseudorandom number generator based on Tribonacci numbers. Unlike Fibonacci numbers, where the nth term in the series is based on the previous two terms, Tribonacci numbers use the previous three terms: […]

Derived terms

• pseudorandom number generator
• pseudorandomness
• pseudorandomly
• pseudorandomize, pseudorandomized
• super-pseudorandom

Translations

appearing to be random

• Czech: pseudonáhodný (cs)
• Finnish: näennäissatunnainen
• French: pseudo-aléatoire
• German: pseudozufällig, scheinzufällig
• Greek: ψευδοτυχαίος (el) (psevdotychaíos)
• Hungarian: álvéletlen (hu)
• Polish: pseudolosowy
• Russian: псевдослуча́йный (ru) (psevdoslučájnyj)
• Slovak: pseudonáhodný

See also

• pseudorandom number generator