prand

Format: prand( mean )

Arguments: (real) mean Optional distribution mean; default = 1

Returns: (int) Pseudo-random number from a Poisson distribution

Description: Numbers returned by the prand primitive represent the number of random events that occur per unit of time. For example, the number of customers that arrive in a given hour is represented by a Poisson distribution. This probability distribution is characterized by the mean number of events per unit time. The result returned by prand is always a positive integer.

Examples: prand = random number form a Poisson distribution with a mean of  1

prand(3) = random number from a Poisson distribution with a mean of  3, PDF graphed below

See Also: rand, drand, trand, nrand, lrand, brand, grand, betarand, crand, setrand, correlate