Recently I learned that if an outcome is good enough to be unpredictable, it can and will be considered random. Do you agree? Can someone give me your definition of "random"?
2007-01-14 08:41:04 · 4 answers · asked by [ΦΘΚ] PIяATE 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Jaston, you're way too metaphysical for me. I like the first guy's answer: "random" means what happens next does not depend on what has already happened, so random = unpredictable.
On the other hand, if the odds of something happening increases the odds it will happen again, then I wouldn't call it random.
2007-01-14 08:51:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the short term yes, but even independent probabilities that have random outcomes are somewhat predictable in the long term.
For instance, I cannot say with any regularity what a particular roll of a die is, but in the long term, I can say that the probability of each outcome will approach 1/6.
Likewise, while we can never know when a particular atom of Carbon 14 will decay, but we know that half of any particular quantity of C14 will decay ever 5700 years.
In essence, the two are related, but not synonymous.
2007-01-14 16:53:04 · answer #2 · answered by gebobs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Random Does not exist, EVER. The consequences of time were set in motion at the moment of the creation of the universe, think about it.
2007-01-14 16:44:53 · answer #3 · answered by jaston_10078 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
random means it can turn out to be one thing or another, and there's no way to tell which, given the available information.
so yes, random=unpredictable.
2007-01-14 16:44:07 · answer #4 · answered by Steven Walker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋