Get a random number focused on center

Question

Is it possible to get a random number between 1-100 and keep the results mainly within the 40-60 range? I mean, it will go out of that range rarely, but I want it to be main

Answer 1

Here's a weighted solution at 3/4 40-60 and 1/4 outside that range.

function weighted() {

  var w = 4;

  // number 1 to w
  var r = Math.floor(Math.random() * w) + 1;

  if (r === 1) { // 1/w goes to outside 40-60
    var n = Math.floor(Math.random() * 80) + 1;
    if (n >= 40 && n <= 60) n += 40;
    return n
  }
  // w-1/w goes to 40-60 range.
  return Math.floor(Math.random() * 21) + 40;
}

function test() {
  var counts = [];

  for (var i = 0; i < 2000; i++) {
    var n = weighted();
    if (!counts[n]) counts[n] = 0;
    counts[n] ++;
  }
  var output = document.getElementById('output');
  var o = "";
  for (var i = 1; i <= 100; i++) {
    o += i + " - " + (counts[i] | 0) + "\n";
  }
  output.innerHTML = o;
}

test();