Random numbers and rounding decimals.

[Anon]

I wanted to know the best way to generate a random # in a certain range.

I'm using

mt_rand(x,y) now.

It doesn't seem to be that random though? I have 50 or so entries.

Also how do you take a variable and round it to say the nearest 2 decimal points? i don't want to display 4.029739846 i just want 4.03. I'm using a variable that is gotten from dividing 2 others.

thanks !

jeremy

[Anon]

For rounding numbers, use none other than round(): http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.round.php

For generating random numbers...

srand((double)microtime()*1000000);
$random = "rand(x,y)";

Where x is minimum and y is max.

[[deleted]]

Note: the srand is a MUST.
The rand() function is an algorithm who's output is based on a starting value.
If you take the same starting value, you'll get the same "random" numbers.
srand will change that starting value (usually to the current time, which is pretty random) and make your random numbers more random.