Generate Random Numbers in Python

The module named random can be used to generate random numbers in Python. To use a module you need to type import module. This loads all of the functions inside the module.

Keep in mind that random numbers with the random module are pseudo-random numbers. For most programs this is fine.

Random

The random module

To create random numbers with Python code you can use the random module. To use it, simply type:

import random

This module has several functions, the most important one is just named random(). The random() function generates a floating point number between 0 and 1, [0.0, 1.0].

The random module has pseudo-random number generators, this means they are not truly random.

Generate random numbers

This example creates several random numbers. Type the program shown below and run it:

import random

# Create a random floating point number and print it.
print(random.random())

# pick a random whole number between 0 and 10.
print(random.randrange(0,10))

# pick a random floating point number between 0 and 10.
print(random.uniform(0,10))

In all of the cases we use the random module. Several random numbers are generated.

If you want a random float between 1 and 10 you can use this trick:

import random

x = random.uniform(1, 10)
print(x)

For random integers either case them to integers or use the randrange function.

Study drill

Try the exercises below

1. Make a program that creates a random number and stores it into x.
2. Make a program that prints 3 random numbers.
3. Create a program that generates 100 random numbers and find the frequency of each number.

After completing these continue with the next exercise.

Download examples