What+does+random+mean?

Finally, we think random means that we know the possible outcomes but we can't predetermine an outcome for a particular instance. No matter how many times you do the experiment, the probability won't change across the situation.

REMEMBER to __**read the text**__ after you come up with your initial definition to see if you want to modify it!!!!

A situation where something is chosen or happens with no limits, expectations, guidelines or preconcieved notions. So rolling a die and observing the outcome would not be a random situation? Cuz I expect to get a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. I think adding "not knowing the outcome or the probability of ending up with that outcome" will help the definition. However, this still doesn't sit well with me because if you flip a coin the probability of getting tails is 1/2 or 50%. Yet we consider it random. Perhaps there's a certain number of possible outcomes needed to make it "random."

That anything is possible and you cannot know what the probability is when it is random Clarify what we mean by "anything". For example, when I toss a coin, is truly anything possible? Are the outcomes of a coin toss random? Do we know the probability of the outcomes?

For a given situation, random means that there is no calculation to determine which of the possible outcomes will occur. So as long as I don't calculate anything, the situation is random? Tell us more what is meant by "no calculation" By "no calculation," I was thinking that there was no predetermined formula or predictor that would allow you to //guarantee// a specific outcome. I think that the definitions " that anything is possible and you cannot know what the probability is when it is random" and " for a given situation, random means that there is no calculation to determine which of the possible outcomes will occur" are both pretty similar in that there is not a way to know the probability of random events or the certainty of the outcomes. ~ I don't know if saying "anything is possible" completely works, when saying this I think that completely unrelated things could happen. You roll the dice and a tornadoe hits. I like the no predetermined calculation better for the definition of random.
 * I agree with this definition. Examples of the rolling the dice, or flipping a coin would fall into this.
 * I also agree with this definition like if you reach into a bag with different colored marbles you have no way to determine exactly which marble you will draw you can just come up with different chance calculations

Random - I actually had the same definition as the text. Basically, random means that you have a situation with many possible outcomes (take rolling a dice - you can roll 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6) but you don't know which outcome will occur (randomness). Do I know anything about the situation other than the outcomes??? You know that that there might be a certain probability of getting one outcome over another. This would hapen if you have something like the spinner problem where certain pieces on the spinner are greater than others. Otherwise, ​ I agree with this definition, I came up with a very similar defination of random to what is written here. I agree with this definition I agree with this definition, it is very similar to what I wrote down. I would have to agree with this one as well.

I agree with the above definition as well. In random situations, you don't know which outcome will occur, but we have an idea of what outcomes will possibly occur. I'm on board with this too.

I agree, with this definition

I agree with this definition as well

Random means something is chosen without interference from an outside source.

I agree with the above definition as well.

This definition was what I was going to say! I agree

I agree with this definition also.

I agree with this definition too, i thought that random was something that had no order to it, you just pick like gambling. it being uncertain of the outcome. we may know the outcomes but we do not know what will be the final outcome. like flipping a coin. we know our outcomes will be heads or tail but we do not know what it will be if we flip a coin at random. it is a 50/50 chance.

To me, I felt that random meant something out of the ordinary, or something unexpected that comes out of no where. I feel that it is hard to predict what will happen in a random situation, however the possible outcomes will always be known. You will always know what MIGHT happen in a situation or a problem (which are the outcomes), but you will not know exactly what will happen until it actually does happen. Getting some nice ideas. Are any of the above definitions similar to each other?? You don't have to post a new idea UNLESS it is very different from what is already here. You could also comment on something already written, indicating a change to correct an idea, modify one, or agree with it.