when generating normally-distributed random values, what is the most efficient way to define the range?

Question

FYI: random == pseudo-random

A. when generating uniformly-random numbers, I can specify a range, i.e.:

(Math.random()-Math.random())*10+5
//generates numbers between -5 and 15

B. generating a set of random values with a version of Gaussian-esque normal randomness:

//pass in the mean and standard deviation
function randomNorm(mean, stdev) {
  return Math.round((Math.random()*2-1)+(Math.random()*2-1)+(Math.random()*2-1))*stdev+mean);
}

//using the following values:
{
  mean:400, 
  standard_deviation:1
  //results in a range of 397-403, or +-range of 3
},
{
  mean:400, 
  standard_deviation:10
  //results in a range of 372-429, or +-range of 30
},
{
  mean:400, 
  standard_deviation:25
  //results in a range of 326-471, or +-range of 75
}

each one gives me a range of approximately standard_deviation*(+-3) (assuming I left the program running longer).

C. I can calculate this range as follows:

1. assuming I want a range from 300-500, so var total_range = 200;
2. my mean is 400, my +-range is total_range/2 (var r = 100)
3. so standard_deviation would be r/3 or in this case 33.333.

This seems to be working, but I have no idea what I'm doing with math so I feel like an idiot, this solution feels kludgy and not totally accurate.

My question: is there some formula that I'm dancing around that can help me here? my requirements are as follows:

1. must be able to define a range of numbers accurately.
2. must be done in JavaScript, as efficiently as possible.

I think maybe I'm close but it's not quite there.

Answer 1

Subtracting two random numbers doesn't give you a normal distribution, it will give you numbers that decline linearly on both sides of zero. See the red diagram in this fiddle:

http://jsfiddle.net/Guffa/tvt5K/

To get a good approximation of normal distribution, add six random numbers together. See the green diagram in the fiddle.

So, to get normally distributed random numbers, use:

((Math.random() + Math.random() + Math.random() + Math.random() + Math.random() + Math.random()) - 3) / 3

This method is based on the central limit theorem, outlined as the second method here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution#Generating_values_from_normal_distribution

Answer 2

I wanted to have gaussian random numbers between 0 and 1, and after many tests (thanks to @Guffa answer too) I found this to be the best:

function gaussianRand() {
  var rand = 0;

  for (var i = 0; i < 6; i += 1) {
    rand += Math.random();
  }

  return rand / 6;
}

---

And as a bonus:

function gaussianRandom(start, end) {
  return Math.floor(start + gaussianRand() * (end - start + 1));
}