Computer Sciences Commons^™

Exact Sampling And Prefix Distributions, Sebastian Oberhoff

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores some new means to generate random numbers without incurring any numerical

inaccuracies along the way. In the context of continuous distributions this leads to the discussion of

prex distributions { discrete distributions that fully capture a continuous distribution by describing

their initial digits. These are rst studied graphically, then analytically, which also leads to a general

examination of the behavior of the distribution of trailing digits of continuous distributions. Finally,

some slightly novel, related results from the theory of computation are presented.

Educational Magic Tricks Based On Error-Detection Schemes, Ronald I. Greenberg

Ronald Greenberg

Magic tricks based on computer science concepts help grab student attention and can motivate them to delve more deeply. Error detection ideas long used by computer scientists provide a rich basis for working magic; probably the most well known trick of this type is one included in the CS Unplugged activities. This paper shows that much more powerful variations of the trick can be performed, some in an unplugged environment and some with computer assistance. Some of the tricks also show off additional concepts in computer science and discrete mathematics.