Integer random with integers() in NumPy

Introduction

We use integers() to get random whole numbers easily for simulations or testing.

When you want to simulate rolling dice in a game.

When you need random IDs for test data.

When you want to pick random indexes from a list.

When you want to generate random counts or quantities.

When you want to create random samples of integers for experiments.

Syntax

NumPy

numpy.random.Generator.integers(low, high=None, size=None, dtype=int, endpoint=False)

low is the smallest integer you want.

high is one more than the largest integer you want (unless endpoint=True).

Examples

Random integer from 1 to 6 (like a dice roll).

NumPy

rng.integers(1, 7)

Array of 5 random integers from 0 to 9.

NumPy

rng.integers(0, 10, size=5)

Random integer from 1 to 5 including 5.

NumPy

rng.integers(1, 5, endpoint=True)

Sample Program

This code shows how to get random integers using integers(). It creates a random number generator, then gets one dice roll, an array of 5 random numbers, and one number including the endpoint.

NumPy

import numpy as np

rng = np.random.default_rng()

# Get one random integer from 1 to 6
single_roll = rng.integers(1, 7)

# Get 5 random integers from 0 to 9
random_array = rng.integers(0, 10, size=5)

# Get one random integer from 1 to 5 including 5
inclusive_roll = rng.integers(1, 5, endpoint=True)

print(f"Single dice roll (1-6): {single_roll}")
print(f"Array of 5 random integers (0-9): {random_array}")
print(f"Inclusive roll (1-5): {inclusive_roll}")

Important Notes

Use size to get multiple random numbers at once.

By default, high is exclusive, so numbers go up to high - 1.

Set endpoint=True to include the high value.

Summary

integers() gives random whole numbers in a range.

You can get single numbers or arrays of numbers.

Remember the high value is usually not included unless you say so.

Practice

1.

What does the numpy.random.integers(low, high) function do?

easy

A. Generates random numbers only equal to low or high.

B. Generates random whole numbers from low (inclusive) to high (inclusive).

C. Generates a sequence of numbers from low to high.

D. Generates random decimal numbers between low and high.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the function purpose

   numpy.random.integers(low, high) generates random integers in a range.

2. Step 2: Check the range behavior

   The function generates from low inclusive to high inclusive (default endpoint=True).

3. Final Answer:

   Generates random whole numbers from low (inclusive) to high (inclusive). -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   integers() returns [low, high] random integers [OK]

Hint: integers() generates [low, high] by default [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it generates decimal numbers
• Thinking high is exclusive
• Confusing with sequence generation

2.

Which of the following is the correct syntax to generate 5 random integers between 1 and 10 using numpy.random.integers()?

import numpy as np
# Your code here

easy

A. np.random.integers(1, 10, size=5)

B. np.random.integers(1, 10, count=5)

C. np.random.integers(low=1, high=10, count=5)

D. np.random.integers(1, 10, length=5)

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the function parameters

   integers(low, high, size=number) generates an array of random integers.

2. Step 2: Identify correct keyword for number of values

   The correct keyword is size, so size=5 generates 5 numbers.

3. Final Answer:

   np.random.integers(1, 10, size=5) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use size= for array length [OK]

Hint: Use size= to specify number of random integers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using positional third argument without size keyword
• Using wrong keyword like count or length
• Missing import statement

3.

What is the output of the following code?

import numpy as np
np.random.seed(0)
arr = np.random.integers(1, 5, size=4)
print(arr)

medium

A. [5 4 3 5]

B. [1 2 3 4]

C. [3 3 3 3]

D. [4 4 1 3]

Solution

1. Step 1: Set random seed for reproducibility

   Using np.random.seed(0) fixes the random numbers generated.

2. Step 2: Generate 4 random integers between 1 and 5 inclusive

   np.random.integers(1, 5, size=4) produces the array [4 4 1 3] with this seed.

3. Final Answer:

   [4 4 1 3] -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Seed 0 + integers(1,5,4) = [4 4 1 3] [OK]

Hint: Use seed to get repeatable random integers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring seed and expecting different output
• Confusing inclusive range with exclusive
• Miscounting size parameter

4.

Find the error in this code snippet and choose the correct fix:

import numpy as np
arr = np.random.integers(0, 10, 5)
print(arr)

medium

A. No error; code runs correctly as is.

B. Change third argument to size=5 to specify array size.

C. Add parentheses around arguments: integers((0,10),5).

D. Replace integers with randint to fix syntax.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check function signature

   integers(low, high, size=...) accepts size as positional or keyword argument.

2. Step 2: Identify argument usage

   Passing 5 as positional third argument works correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   No error; code runs correctly as is. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Positional size argument works [OK]

Hint: size can be positional or keyword in integers() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing integers() with randint()
• Using wrong keyword like count or length
• Assuming positional size causes error

5.

You want to generate a 2x3 array of random integers from 10 to 20 using numpy.random.integers() and then filter to keep only even numbers. Which code correctly does this?

hard

A. arr = np.random.integers(5, 10, size=(2,3)) * 2

B. arr = np.random.integers(10, 20, size=(2,3)); arr = arr * 2

C. arr = np.random.integers(10, 20, size=(2,3)); arr = arr[arr % 2 == 0]

D. arr = np.random.integers(10, 20, size=(2,3)); arr = arr[arr % 2 != 0]

Solution

1. Step 1: Generate 2x3 array of integers 10 to 20

   Use np.random.integers(10, 20, size=(2,3)) to get random integers in the range.

2. Step 2: Filter only even numbers

   Use boolean indexing arr[arr % 2 == 0] to keep even numbers only.

3. Final Answer:

   arr = np.random.integers(10, 20, size=(2,3)); arr = arr[arr % 2 == 0] -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Filter with modulo 2 equals zero for evens [OK]

Hint: Filter with arr % 2 == 0 to keep even numbers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Multiplying random numbers instead of filtering
• Filtering odd numbers by mistake
• Using wrong range for even numbers