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JavaScript JavaScript Basics (Retired) Working With Numbers Create a random number

Posted by Steven Mejia
Steven Mejia
2,098 Points

instead of 6, can we use a multiplier of 7 and get the same results?

i was curious if we could do

Math.floor(Math.random() * 7);

to achieve the exact same results. why make things sloppier with adding a 1 at the end?

3 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,271 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,271 Points

The random range normally starts at 0, the 1 is added to shift the range up to start at 1.

Unless you want to simulate 7-sided dice that can roll 0-6. :wink:

Steven Mejia
Steven Mejia
2,098 Points
Steven Mejia
Steven Mejia
2,098 Points

OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! got it!

thanks for a fast reply. makes total sense now

Ben Reynolds
Ben Reynolds
35,170 Points
Ben Reynolds
Ben Reynolds
35,170 Points

That "+1" he added at the end doesn't make it 6 + 1. It's outside the parentheses, so it's the result of Math.floor(Math.random() * 6) plus one. If it wasn't done that way, no matter what you used as a multiplier could still end up rolling a 0.

Steven Mejia
Steven Mejia
2,098 Points

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I fully understand it now.