Falling coin as random number generator

Exhibit: table of content

Mathematics Math21a, Fall 2005

Multivariable Calculus

Oliver Knill, SciCtr 434, knill@math.harvard.edu

A falling coin interacts with the floor. This "chaotic dynamical systems" is used as a random number generator. Whether the coin ends up heads up or tail up depends in a sensitive way on the initial condition.

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Oliver Knill, Math21a, Multivariable Calculus, Fall 2005, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Art and Sciences, Harvard University