randomGaussian() / Reference / Processing.org

Name

randomGaussian()

Description

Returns a float from a random series of numbers having a mean of 0 and standard deviation of 1. Each time the randomGaussian() function is called, it returns a number fitting a Gaussian, or normal, distribution. There is theoretically no minimum or maximum value that randomGaussian() might return. Rather, there is just a very low probability that values far from the mean will be returned; and a higher probability that numbers near the mean will be returned.

Examples

```
size(400, 400);
for (int y = 0; y < 400; y++) {
  float x = randomGaussian() * 60;
  line(200, y, 200 + x, y);
}
```
```
float[] distribution = new float[360];

void setup() {
  size(400, 400);
  for (int i = 0; i < distribution.length; i++) {
    distribution[i] = int(randomGaussian() * 60);
  }
}

void draw() {
  background(204);
  
  translate(width/2, width/2);

  for (int i = 0; i < distribution.length; i++) {
    rotate(TWO_PI/distribution.length);
    stroke(0);
    float dist = abs(distribution[i]);
    line(0, 0, dist, 0);
  }
}
```