Article 220 - The Nature of Random. The Coin Flip Conceit.
The Nature of Random. The Coin Flip Conceit.
This essay examines the human perception of randomness through an example of a process considered to be random by human beings. The flip of a coin.
It examines definitions, classical definition of randomness, quantum definition of randomness, probability definition of randomness, idealised systems, a coin and the coin flip.
Finally conclusions are drawn.
Definitions
Conceit.
‘Conceiving’ a ‘deceit’ a ‘notion’, ‘an ingenious or fanciful comparison or metaphor.’
Source: https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#safe=strict&q=conceit&spf=1498914254976
Random
‘made, done, or happening without method or conscious decision.’
Source: https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#safe=strict&q=def+random&spf=1500717004662
‘Statistics. of or characterizing a process of selection in which each item of a set has an equal probability of being chosen.’
Source: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/random
Randomness is the lack of pattern or predictability in events.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randomness
Classical Definition of Randomness
Things only appear random because not all of the things influencing them are known to the observer.
Quantum Definition of Randomness
All possible things exist and occur as interacting and entangling waveforms of probabilities on a tensor grid of coordinates and physical probabilities called space time as a superposition.
When an observer senses and then measures the waveform of probability collapses at the coordinates and physical description of the observation.
Only the outcomes on the tensor grid of coordinates and physical probabilities at the location of the observation can be sensed and measured due to the limitations of human senses.
The Observable Universe is therefore sensed as fundamentally random by humans until previous patterns; known outcomes; are examined or additional measurements are taken.
Humans; by observing; sensing; alter the state of the Observable Universe.
Probability Definition of Randomness.
‘The probability of an event is the measure of the chance that the event will occur as a result of an experiment. The probability of an event A is the number of ways event A can occur divided by the total number of possible outcomes.’
Source: www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/vol6/intro_probability.html
Probability in mathematics is the measurement that an event will occur. It is a designed method.
The outcome is calculated by repetitive testing of idealised mathematics, geometry and materials.
Probability requires prior knowledge about all of a systems components before it can be used or be regarded as accurate.
Probability as a method is not random but it predicts the level of randomness.
Idealised Systems
In the Observable Universe nothing exists in isolation. Everything is interacting and entangling constantly.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_entanglement
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/context/entanglement-spooky-not-action-distance
Probability in nature is fundamentally random.
It is subject to environmental variations.
It is subject to quantum variations.
It is related to decay.
It is linked to quantum interactions at each location of use.
A mathematical system can only by examined by human beings or machines created by humans within the Observable Universe. Idealised systems are in contact with the Observable Universe and are interacting and entangled constantly.
Therefore idealised systems are random in nature.
A Coin
‘Middle English: from Old French coin ‘wedge, corner, die’, coigner ‘to mint’, from Latin cuneus ‘wedge’. The original sense was ‘cornerstone’, later ‘angle or wedge’ (senses now spelled quoin); in late Middle English the term denoted a die for stamping money, or a piece of money produced by such a die.’
Source: https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#safe=strict&q=def+coin&spf=1500880154275
A coin is considered to be.
A human manufactured object.
An object formed by human society out of a common material that can be exchanged for other materials, goods or services.
An object indicating a society exists in a particular location at a particular time.
An indicator of a hierarchy in a society.
An indicator of wealth in a society.
A device for a ruler of a society to employ to publicize themselves to all members of a state.
A method of deciding events fairly.
A geometrical object that has spatial dimensions that are fixed by a human society.
The Coin Flip.
The flip of a coin is considered to be random by humans since either one but not both of the sides of the coin may appear after the coin is tossed and falls onto a surface.
The flip of a coin is considered by humans to be non-random if the following hidden variables are known.
The nature and traits of the coin.
The constraints on the possible outcomes of tossing the coin.
The starting nature of the coin.
The nature of the forces acting on the coin.
The calculation about the outcome of tossing the coin could be done before the coin completed its probability variation sequence.
If these are calculated before the coin is tossed then the outcome of the coin after it is tossed, its nature can be calculated.
The probability of one complete coin toss is 1 event occurring out of 2 total events.
The probability of randomness before the coin toss is 1 in 1. Since the coin lies flat and only 1 face is visible and this state is not changing.
The probability of randomness during the coin toss is 2 in 2. Since both faces have an equal chance of being visible and this state is constantly changing.
The probability of randomness after the coin toss is 1 in 2. Since 1 face has landed so that it is visible to the observer.
The probability of randomness changes in relation to the speed of light in a perfect vacuum, constant of gravitation, Planck constant, reduced Planck constant, space time, energy, density, mass, volume, material, shape, centre of gravity, dimensions, environment and proximity to an observer.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_constant
Conclusion
The coin toss is therefore both random and non-random depending on the observers pre-determined belief and knowledge and conceits about the coin.
Ian K Whittaker
Websites:
https://sites.google.com/site/architecturearticles
Email: iankwhittaker@gmail.com
24/07/2017
14/10/2020
948 words over 3 pages