Basic JavaScript - Generate Random Whole Numbers within a Range

[mcmichaeltyler93]

Tell us what’s happening:
Hello there. I am stuck here:

“Here’s the formula we’ll use. Take a moment to read it and try to understand what this code is doing:”

Math.floor(Math.random() * (max - min + 1)) + min

Could someone break down this formula for me? I’m having trouble reading this formula

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Challenge: Basic JavaScript - Generate Random Whole Numbers within a Range

Link to the challenge:

freeCodeCamp.org

[mcmichaeltyler93]

Math.floor(Math.random() * (max - min + 1)) + min

I took a moment to read it and tried to understand what this code is doing, but I can’t understand what this code is doing.

I think it’s doing this:

console.log(Math.floor(Math.random() * (15- 5 + 1)) + 5), which is 16

[camperextraordinaire]

@mcmichaeltyler93

which is 16

No. It will not ever produce 16. Let me break it down in smaller steps:

Math.floor(Math.random() * (15 - 5 + 1)) + 5

Math.floor(Math.random() * (11)) + 5

Math.random() will produce a number between 0 and 1 (including 0 but not including 1). This means, this will always be a fraction of some kind (or zero). In this case, the fraction would be multiplied by 11. Let’s say for example Math.random() returned 0.3, then you would have:

Math.floor(0.3 * (11)) + 3

Math.floor(3.3) + 3

Math.floor returns removes the fraction portion of a number, so in this case, you are left with just 3

3 + 3 = 6