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Generate a list of numbers within a list of arbitrary numbers
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Generate a list of numbers within a list of arbitrary numbers
#1
Hi Guys,

Suppose I have a list of arbitrary numbers (23, 2, 49, 100, 101) and from this list, I want to randomly pick 3 unique numbers and store them inside a new list. I can’t use random.sample() function, as the function will generate the numbers based on a range of sequence numbers.

Can you please advise me on how to pick 3 unique numbers from a list of arbitrary numbers, and store them in a new list?

Thank you.
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#2
I don't understand what the problem with using random.sample() is
from random import sample

population = (23, 2, 49, 100, 101)
my_sample = sample(population, 3)
print(my_sample)
Output:
[101, 100, 49] >>>
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#3
(Nov-07-2018, 12:30 PM)buran Wrote: I don't understand what the problem with using random.sample() is
from random import sample

population = (23, 2, 49, 100, 101)
my_sample = sample(population, 3)
print(my_sample)
Output:
[101, 100, 49] >>>

Thanks Buran. Maybe I misunderstood that random.sample() will need to specify “range” of sequence numbers as its parameter, in order for it to work.

Once again, thank you for your help.
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#4
I think you were just confused by the example with range.
Note that if you have repeated numbers in the original list it's also possible to have repeating elements in the sample
If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself, Albert Einstein
How to Ask Questions The Smart Way: link and another link
Create MCV example
Debug small programs

Reply
#5
(Nov-07-2018, 02:36 PM)buran Wrote: I think you were just confused by the example with range.
Note that if you have repeated numbers in the original list it's also possible to have repeating elements in the sample

Yup. Understand that repeated numbers may be picked up if there are duplicates in the population list.

Thanks Buran.
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