At the core of probability and randomness is the idea of selecting an item from some kind of collection. As we know, the probability of selecting an item from a collection quantifies the likelihood of that item being selected. Randomness describes the selection of items from a collection according to the probabilities without any additional bias. The opposite of a random selection might be described as a deterministic selection. In general, it is very difficult to replicate a purely random process using a computer, because computers and their processing are inherently deterministic. However, we can generate sequences of pseudo-random numbers that, when properly constructed, demonstrate a reasonable approximation of randomness.
In this recipe, we will select items from a collection and learn some of the key terminology associated with probability and randomness that we will need throughout this chapter.
Getting ready
The Python...