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JavaScript JavaScript Basics (Retired) Creating Reusable Code with Functions Random Number Challenge Solution

Saqib Ishfaq
Saqib Ishfaq
13,912 Points
Posted by Saqib Ishfaq
Saqib Ishfaq
13,912 Points

how do we know which "1" needs to be replaced with "lower" ? as there are two "1" in the provided formula.

can some one please explain the formula mentioned in the video:/

Math.floor(Math.random() * (6 - 1 + 1)) + 1;

1 Answer

Tim Renner
Tim Renner
11,163 Points

This form returns a random number within a range (inclusive): Math.floor(Math.random() * (upper - lower + 1)) + lower;.

You can reason about a function like this from the inside to the outside according to the parentheses. The inner part is equal to the size of the range (upper - lower + 1).

Math.random() returns some value between 0 and 1, so when you multiply that by the size of the range you get some number between 0 and the size of the range.

Math.floor() returns only the integer part of that result.

Finally, adding the lower number gives a final result randomly within the range size, equal to or larger than the lower number, as required. In plain language you might say, "Give me a number 0, 1 or 2 bigger than 5." In our formula that would be upper=7, lower=5.

Hope that helps! Keep on coding!