How can I create a specified amount of random values that all equal up to a specified number in PHP?

Question

For example, say I enter \'10\' for the amount of values, and \'10000\' as a total amount.

The script would need to randomize 10 different numbers that all equal up

Answer 1

Update: @Joe Blow has the perfect answer. My answer has the special feature of generating chunks of approximately the same size (or at least a difference no bigger than (10000 / 10)), leaving it in place for that reason.

The easiest and fastest approach that comes to my mind is:

• Divide 10000 by 10 and store the values in an array. (10 times the value 10000)

• Walk through every one of the 10 elements in a for loop.

• From each element, subtract a random number between (10000 / 10).

• Add that number to the following element.

This will give you a number of random values that, when added, will result in the end value (ignoring floating point issues).

Should be half-way easy to implement.

You'll reach PHP's maximum integer limit at some point, though. Not sure how far this can be used for values towards a billion and beyond.