Pseudoaléatoires

Pseudoaléatoires refers to sequences of numbers that appear random but are actually generated by a deterministic algorithm. These sequences are not truly random because they are predictable if the initial state, known as the seed, and the algorithm are known. However, for many practical purposes, pseudoaléatoires sequences exhibit statistical properties that mimic those of truly random sequences. This makes them useful in a wide range of applications where unpredictability and statistical randomness are desired but true randomness is not strictly required or is computationally infeasible to generate.

The generation of pseudoaléatoires numbers typically involves a mathematical formula that takes a seed value and produces a sequence of numbers. Each subsequent number in the sequence is generated based on the previous number. If the same seed is used, the exact same sequence of pseudoaléatoires numbers will be produced. This reproducibility is a key feature that distinguishes them from true random number generators, which rely on unpredictable physical phenomena.

Common applications of pseudoaléatoires sequences include computer simulations, cryptography, statistical sampling, and video games. In cryptography, for instance, pseudoaléatoires generators are used to create keys and other security-related elements, although the quality and security of the generator are paramount. The quality of a pseudoaléatoires number generator is assessed by how well its output satisfies statistical tests for randomness and by its period length, which is the number of outputs before the sequence repeats.