p5.js randomGaussian() Function

The randomGaussian() function in p5.js is used to return a random value fitting a Gaussian or normal distribution for which mean and standard deviation are given as the parameter.

Syntax:

randomGaussian( Mean, StandardDeviation )

Parameters: This function accepts two parameters as mentioned above and described below:

• Mean: It is the mean of generated random value.
• StandardDeviation: It is the Standard Deviation of generated random value.

Note:

• If one argument is passed as the parameter it means that the mean and standard deviation is 1.
• If two argument is passed as the parameter it means that first is mean and second is a standard deviation.
• If no argument is passed as the parameter it means that mean is 0 and the standard deviation is 1.

Return Value: It returns a random number.

Below programs illustrate the randomGaussain() function in p5.js:

Example 1: This example uses randomGaussian() function return the random value for which mean and standard deviation is given as the parameter.

function setup() {

    // Creating Canvas size
    createCanvas(550, 140);

    // Set the background color
    background(220);

    // Calling to randomSeed() function
    // It is used for getting constant random
    // values each time the code is run
    randomSeed(9)

    // Calling to randomGaussian() function
    // with mean and sd parameters
    let A = randomGaussian(1, 2);
    let B = randomGaussian(0, 1);
    let C = randomGaussian(2);
    let D = randomGaussian(2, 10);

    // Set the size of text
    textSize(16);

    // Set the text color
    fill(color('red'));

    // Getting random number
    text("Random number is: " + A, 50, 30);
    text("Random number is: " + B, 50, 60);
    text("Random number is: " + C, 50, 90);
    text("Random number is: " + D, 50, 110);
}

Output:

Note: In the above example, the variable “C” contains one parameter i.e. mean value is 2 but the standard deviation is 1.

Example 2: This example uses randomGaussian() function return the random value for which mean and standard deviation is given as the parameter.

function setup() {

    // Creating Canvas size
    createCanvas(550, 140);

    // Set the background color
    background(220);

    // Calling to randomSeed() function
    // It is used for getting constant random
    // values each time the code is run
    randomSeed(9)

    // Calling to randomGaussian() function with
    // mean and sd parameters
    let A = randomGaussian();
    let B = randomGaussian(2.5);
    let C = randomGaussian(2);
    let D = randomGaussian(20, 22.5);

    // Set the size of text
    textSize(16);

    // Set the text color
    fill(color('red'));

    // Getting random number
    text("Random number is: " + A, 50, 30);
    text("Random number is: " + B, 50, 60);
    text("Random number is: " + C, 50, 90);
    text("Random number is: " + D, 50, 110);
}

Output:

Reference: https://p5js.org/reference/#/p5/randomGaussian