# How to effectively generate random number with PICAXE 08M2?

I'm wondering how to effectively generate random numbers with my PICAXE 08M2. The following is my code:

; Inputs
symbol push_red = C.1 ; In 1
symbol push_buzzer = C.3; In 3

; Outputs
symbol buzzer = C.2; Out 2
symbol led_red = C.4;

symbol action = b0
symbol randnum = w5;
symbol randbit = w6;

main:

FOR action = 1 TO 5
RANDOM randnum
LET randbit = randnum // 10
IF randnum > 4 THEN
PAUSE 500
low led_red
pause 500
high led_red
ELSE
SOUND buzzer,(100, 100)
ENDIF
NEXT action

SOUND buzzer,(120, 200)


Even though I'm generating a new random number with every loop, the result is always the same: LEDs light up, no sound generated. I've read some articles about dividing randnum by an appropriate number, but not sure how that works.

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 The line "IF randnum > 4 THEN" should be "IF randbit > 4 THEN". – Dave Tweed Sep 18 '12 at 21:14

Like Dave says: you're using the wrong variable in the IF statement.

IF randnum > 4 THEN


should be

IF randbit > 4 THEN


As I understand from another question randnum is in the range 0..65535, then the probability that it's less than 5 is less than 1 in 10 000. So if you repeat the test a lot of times you'll hear the buzzer once or twice, but those chances are slim for a loop executed only 5 times.

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