Question: Reference: [link text](http://download.oracle.com/javase/1.4.2/docs/api/java/util/Random.html)

i cannot understand the following line , can anybody provide me some example for the below statement?

If two instances of Random are created with the same seed, and the same sequence of method calls is made for each, they will generate and return identical sequences of numbers

Answer: 
The Random class basically is a **Psuedorandom Number Generator** (also known as **Deterministic random bit generator**) that generates a sequence of numbers that approximates the properties of random numbers. It's not generally random but deterministic as it can be determined by small random states in the generator (such as `seed`). Because of the deterministic nature, you can generate identical result if you the sequence of methods and seeds are identical on 2 generators.
With the same seed value, separate instances of Random will return/generate the same sequence of random numbers; more on this here:
<http://www.particle.kth.se/~lindsey/JavaCourse/Book/Part1/Tech/Chapter04/javaRandNums.html>

Ruby Example:

```
class LCG; def initialize(seed=Time.now.to_i, a=2416, b=374441, m=1771075); @x, @a, @b, @m = seed % m, a, b, m; end; def next(); @x = (@a * @x + @b) % @m; end; end

irb(main):004:0> time = Time.now.to_i
=> 1282908389

irb(main):005:0> r = LCG.new(time)
=> #<LCG:0x0000010094f578 @x=650089, @a=2416, @b=374441, @m=1771075>
irb(main):006:0> r.next
=> 45940
irb(main):007:0> r.next
=> 1558831
irb(main):008:0> r.next
=> 1204687
irb(main):009:0> f = LCG.new(time)
=> #<LCG:0x0000010084cb28 @x=650089, @a=2416, @b=374441, @m=1771075>
irb(main):010:0> f.next
=> 45940
irb(main):011:0> f.next
=> 1558831
irb(main):012:0> f.next
=> 1204687

```

Based on the values a/b/m, the result will be the same for a given seed. This can be used to generate the same "random" number in two places and both sides can depend on getting the same result. This can be useful for encryption; although obviously, this algorithm isn't cryptographically secure.