Generating random numbers from normal distribution

Hello,

I generated random numbers from normal distribution for a parameter that has typical values within the range 0.0 to 0.4. The generated random numbers have both negative and positive values. How do I generate only positive values to fit the range of my parameter?

I have another concern:

I understand the random numbers generated from normal distribution in matlab actually come from standard normal distribution. Is there a way to generate from the normal distribution?

Thanks in advance

Best Regards

[Walter Roberson]

Take abs() of your generated number, perhaps?

[Pavan Karuturi]

How to Generate Gaussian Random Variable in MATLAB? Also plot its CDF and PDF.

Answer 1

[Iain]

If you take a random number from a gaussian (aka normal) curve, you can calculate the probability that number would come up.

 random = randn();
 prob = icdf('Normal', random_value, 0, 1);

You can then, if you know the cdf, calculate the value that would give you that probabiltiy.

 example:  random_value_my_distribution = cdf('binomial',prob, trials, prob)

Answer 2

[Leah]

Yes you can do this you just need the right transformation. You cannot generate a bounded normal distribution. It needs to be defined with the mean and standard deviation. So your mean would be 0.2, you just shift the distribution by this amount. If you want a bounded distribution try a triangular or uniform.

standard deviation =0.1 mean = 0.2

r = 0.2 + 0.1.*randn(100,1);

Answer 3

[Shashank Prasanna]

I'd like to clarify could of things.

"random numbers generated from normal distribution in matlab actually come from standard normal distribution"

This is true only if you use randn If you want to use uniform random numbers then you have to use rand

Non-standard normal random number can be generated as follows:

mean + sigma*randn();

Uniform random random numbers on a separate interval (not 0-1) between a and b can be generated as follows:

r = a + (b-a).*rand();

This way you can specify your own range and keep it positive if you like.

Answer 4

[Ruby]

Hi, Thank you all for the response. I found the answers from Lain and Shashank to be very applicable and I have been able to generate the random variables within the range I wanted. Once again, thanks for all help.

Answer 5

[Mostafa Nakhaei]

The best answer is to simply not consider the side that produce negative results using if statement.

So, generate the whole numbers and then do not consider the left side!

Thanks

[Alireza Ahani]

In that case, it is not normal distribtion, we would have an arbitrary PDF for distribution:

Answer 6

[Alireza Ahani]

If you want to nessecarily have a "normally (gaussian/bell-shaped) pdf" for generation of the random number, you can use this code:

YLIM = [0.0 0.4];
N=100; % number of random vars
n=3.2;  % parameter for adjusting sigma
mu=0.2; % mean


sigma = (YLIM(2)-mu)/n;
x=-5:0.001:5;
y = normpdf(x,mu,sigma);
figure; plot(x,y); ylabel('%'); title('pdf'); xlim(YLIM); 
text(YLIM(1),0.9*max(ylim),['probability to be outside of desired limit=' num2str(100*(1-erf(n/sqrt(2)))) '%'])


RndN = mu + randn(N,1).*sigma;
figure; plot(RndN);

you can adjust "n" to have a control over probability of overpassing the limits [0.0 0.4], it is based on this reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution#Standard_deviation_and_coverage