I think I've figured out why I was getting different results for the different random cases. One case was randomizing with a non-uniform distribution while another was using a uniform distribution. 8~) --- On Fri, 1/22/10, Billy <billyx5@gmail.com> wrote: From: Billy <billyx5@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] random sampling To: "Skunkworks Forum" <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> Date: Friday, January 22, 2010, 5:03 PM The items in the sorted set arent randomized. so even if you access them randomly -- the output is always biased since the original number distribution was biased. I fail to see your logic here. What bias? Would the same bias still exist if I were to access a randomized set sequentially? -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Server donations spreadsheet http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AopdHkqSqKL-dHlQVTMxU1VBdU1BSWJxdy1f... ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general