What is true randomness?
True randomness refers to a sequence of numbers or events that have no discernible pattern or structure and are not predictable. In other words, true randomness is a state where the outcome of an event is completely uncertain and cannot be influenced or determined by any known or unknown factors.
One of the most common ways to generate true random numbers is through the use of physical processes, such as radioactive decay, thermal noise, or quantum processes. These processes are considered truly random because they are not influenced by any external factors or patterns and are not predictable.
True randomness is important in many fields, such as cryptography, where truly random numbers are used to generate encryption keys that are difficult to crack. In addition, true randomness is also used in simulations, games, and other applications where unpredictable outcomes are desired.
It’s worth to mention that, in practice, it can be difficult to achieve true randomness, as many physical processes that are thought to be random may have subtle influences or patterns that can be detected. Therefore, it’s common to use pseudorandom number generators, which are algorithms that generate numbers that appear random but are not truly random. These are often used in place of true random number generators because they are faster and more efficient, but they are not as secure as true random numbers.