While Loops for random numbers

Hi, I was given this assignment and wasn't sure how to set up the loop.

"Write a "while" loop that continues generating a random number x until x is less than 0.01. Keep track of how many iterations of the loop occurred. Then, use "fprintf" to print the final iteration count to the command window, along with the last value of x."

Thanks.

[Rik]

I recovered the removed content from the Google cache (something which anyone can do). Editing away your question is very rude. Someone spent time reading your question, understanding your issue, figuring out the solution, and writing an answer. Now you repay that kindness by ensuring that the next person with a similar question can't benefit from this answer.

The current state of the page is now also archived here.

[Rik]

You're allowed to change your name in an attempt to avoid your teachers catching you for academic fraud, but removing the question text another time is not just offensive, it is also pointless. Just like your attempt to remove the question from the WayBack Machine (I'm assuming it's you who just triggered a save of this page twenty minutes ago). The whole point of the WBM is to preserve the internet. The only thing you did is make your edit even more permanent by showing you changed your name in the interim.

Feel free to appologize.

Below is your original post, which I will also paste back in the question body.

While Loops for random numbers

Hi, I was given this assignment and wasn't sure how to set up the loop.

"Write a "while" loop that continues generating a random number x until x is less than 0.01. Keep track of how many iterations of the loop occurred. Then, use "fprintf" to print the final iteration count to the command window, along with the last value of x."

Thanks.

[Jeremy Hawk]

Hi Rik,

Feel free to get a life aside from harassing random strangers on the internet.

It is bold of you to assume my purpose in changing the question. Last I had heard using a community forum to acquire help or ideas was not "academic fraud." Unless as a member who avidly replies to questions, you are condoning "academic fraud" by answering questions others post. No where in my original post had I asked for the answer for my actions to be considered fraudulent; I simply said I wasn't sure "how to set it up" and received an idea. The answer still remains up, as does the title indicating the topic, so rest assured others who have a similar question will still be able to receive the help (key word: not fraud) they deserve.

Your actions and unwarranted comments are coming off rather immature, petty, and creepy above all, despite how heroic you think you are being for the Matlab community. But I'm glad to see a year later you are still as bored with your life as ever, Rik. Hope we can continue this into the foreseable future then.

[Fangjun Jiang]

A notification came up that this thread need to be moderated. I don't know why an ordinary question and answer came to this point. But in any case, please be nice to each other. No need to hold grudge. No need to write lengthy rude comments to not only impact other's emotion negatively but also to your own. Use the time to study and help others.

[Rik]

I esplained in my inital comment why I restored the question. Then you edit away your question again. I can't see a valid reason to do so and you did not post a comment with your reason.

There is nothing wrong with asking homework questions or providing answers to them. I do take issue with people editing away their question. Do you deny any assertions I made? If you revert the edit to your question I will delete my second comment (and this one).

@Fangjun Jiang Feel free to delete all off-topic comments and revert the edit to the question. If you prefer not to, I'll contact Mathworks to step in.

[Jan]

Dear @Rik, thanks for your contributions in this forum. It is useful, that several editors restore questions, deleted by the original posters.

Let the admins care about the inappropriate contents.

[John D'Errico]

@Jeremy Hawk - Try being civil. I removed the nasty comment from your question.

[Rena Berman]

(Answers Dev) Restored edit

Answer 1

[Image Analyst]

Try this - it's a start:

loopCounter = 0;
maxIterations = 10000; % Failsafe.  A number of iterations which you think you should never exceed.
x = inf; % Initialize
while x >= 0.01 && loopCounter < maxIterations
    % Get new x (code for you to do...)
    % Increment loop counter
    loopCounter = loopCounter + 1;
end
fprintf('.......to do', ....)

The failsafe is not strictly required but you should always use one. I can't tell you how many times people write in and say they have a hung or infinite loop and it could be avoided if they had just used a failsafe.

[Jan]

Inspite of the vivid discussion, I'm the only one who voted for this useful answer. Because it matchs the question without posting a solution of a homework question, I select it as accepted answer.