Base for random numbers

Use to set a starting point for Minitab's random number generator. This is useful when you want to select the same random sample to evaluate, or generate the same set of random data more than once.

For example, suppose you and a colleague are planning a DOE. Using best practices, you decide to randomize the run order. To ensure the run order is consistent across both your projects, specify the same base for the random number generator.

Minitab has a long string of "random" numbers available. If Minitab always started at the same point, you would always get the same data. To avoid this, Minitab uses the time of day (in seconds or fractions of a second) to choose a "random" starting point in the string.