Suppose you have a function (or a magic ball) that is capable of producing a totally random integer between 1 and 5 (inclusive).

Using this, how would you generate a random number (also an integer) between 1 and 7 (inclusive)? (Note that the for the number to be random, all integers between 1 and 7 must have an equal chance of being generated)

Assume that using your 1-5 generator is pretty time-consuming, so you want to minimize the number of times you are going to use it.

(In reply to A binary solution by Federico Kereki)

The RANDOM_1_TO_7 function can return 0 + 2*0 + 4*0 = 0. Therefore, this solution does not meet the criteria.

Posted by S on 2003-10-31 00:22:11