Math.random() exclude 0

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#1

I use math.random(-1,1) so that I can randomize if my original number is positive or negative. Is it possible to exclude 0? Thanks!

#2

You could just do something like

math.random(0,1)*2 - 1
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#3

Another solution is that you can use you can add the positive and negative integers in a table and get a random index in the table. Here is a basic example:

local numbers = {-1, 1}
print(numbers[math.random(#numbers)])
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#4

math.random when specified with two values returns a number in the range [m, n]. -1 < 0 < 1 therefore 0 is a valid number in this range. You can’t exclude a number, so your best bet would be to do randomise again until the result is not 0.

If you’re working with small numbers then I guess something like the above would work but that wouldn’t be as applicable or efficient if you’re expecting decimal numbers or larger min-max sets, which then again you could just randomise until the number isn’t 0.

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#5

I am indeed working with small numbers, so there solutions should work fine. Thank you for the advice though, I’ll make sure to remember this for the future.

#6

Thanks everyone for the contribution. I didn’t know it was so simple!