NAG C Library Function Document

nag_rand_cauchy (g05scc)

1
Purpose

nag_rand_cauchy (g05scc) generates a vector of pseudorandom numbers from a Cauchy distribution with median a and semi-interquartile range b.

2
Specification

#include <nag.h>
#include <nagg05.h>
void  nag_rand_cauchy (Integer n, double xmed, double semiqr, Integer state[], double x[], NagError *fail)

3
Description

The distribution has PDF (probability density function)
fx=1πb 1+ x-ab 2 .  
nag_rand_cauchy (g05scc) returns the value
a+b2y1- 1y2,  
where y1 and y2 are a pair of consecutive pseudorandom numbers from a uniform distribution over 0,1, such that
2y1-1 2+y221.  
One of the initialization functions nag_rand_init_repeatable (g05kfc) (for a repeatable sequence if computed sequentially) or nag_rand_init_nonrepeatable (g05kgc) (for a non-repeatable sequence) must be called prior to the first call to nag_rand_cauchy (g05scc).

4
References

Kendall M G and Stuart A (1969) The Advanced Theory of Statistics (Volume 1) (3rd Edition) Griffin
Knuth D E (1981) The Art of Computer Programming (Volume 2) (2nd Edition) Addison–Wesley

5
Arguments

1:     n IntegerInput
On entry: n, the number of pseudorandom numbers to be generated.
Constraint: n0.
2:     xmed doubleInput
On entry: a, the median of the distribution.
3:     semiqr doubleInput
On entry: b, the semi-interquartile range of the distribution.
Constraint: semiqr0.0.
4:     state[dim] IntegerCommunication Array
Note: the dimension, dim, of this array is dictated by the requirements of associated functions that must have been previously called. This array MUST be the same array passed as argument state in the previous call to nag_rand_init_repeatable (g05kfc) or nag_rand_init_nonrepeatable (g05kgc).
On entry: contains information on the selected base generator and its current state.
On exit: contains updated information on the state of the generator.
5:     x[n] doubleOutput
On exit: the n pseudorandom numbers from the specified Cauchy distribution.
6:     fail NagError *Input/Output
The NAG error argument (see Section 3.7 in How to Use the NAG Library and its Documentation).

6
Error Indicators and Warnings

NE_ALLOC_FAIL
Dynamic memory allocation failed.
See Section 2.3.1.2 in How to Use the NAG Library and its Documentation for further information.
NE_BAD_PARAM
On entry, argument value had an illegal value.
NE_INT
On entry, n=value.
Constraint: n0.
NE_INTERNAL_ERROR
An internal error has occurred in this function. Check the function call and any array sizes. If the call is correct then please contact NAG for assistance.
See Section 2.7.6 in How to Use the NAG Library and its Documentation for further information.
NE_INVALID_STATE
On entry, state vector has been corrupted or not initialized.
NE_NO_LICENCE
Your licence key may have expired or may not have been installed correctly.
See Section 2.7.5 in How to Use the NAG Library and its Documentation for further information.
NE_REAL
On entry, semiqr=value.
Constraint: semiqr0.0.

7
Accuracy

Not applicable.

8
Parallelism and Performance

nag_rand_cauchy (g05scc) is threaded by NAG for parallel execution in multithreaded implementations of the NAG Library.
Please consult the x06 Chapter Introduction for information on how to control and interrogate the OpenMP environment used within this function. Please also consult the Users' Note for your implementation for any additional implementation-specific information.

9
Further Comments

None.

10
Example

This example prints the first five pseudorandom real numbers from a Cauchy distribution with median 1.0 and semi-interquartile range 2.0, generated by a single call to nag_rand_cauchy (g05scc), after initialization by nag_rand_init_repeatable (g05kfc).

10.1
Program Text

Program Text (g05scce.c)

10.2
Program Data

None.

10.3
Program Results

Program Results (g05scce.r)