Questions: ```
if (a == -1)
left = FROM;
right = TO;
else
cin >> b;
left = min(a, b);
right = max(a, b);
answer = rand() % (right - left + 1) + left;
```
Transcript text: ```
if (a == -1)
{
left = FROM;
right = TO;
} else {
cin >> b;
left = min(a, b);
right = max(a, b);
}
answer = rand() % (right - left + 1) + left;
```
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Analyze the code's purpose
The code aims to generate a random integer within a specified range. The range is determined by the values of FROM and TO if 'a' is -1, otherwise it is determined by the values of 'a' and 'b'.
Step 2: Explain the conditional logic
If a equals -1, the range is defined by predefined constants FROM and TO. Otherwise, the user is prompted to input a value for b. The code then calculates the minimum and maximum of a and b using the min() and max() functions. These become the boundaries of the range, assigned to left and right, respectively.
Step 3: Explain random number generation
The rand() function generates a pseudo-random integer. The modulo operator (%) is used to confine the output of rand() to the desired range. (right - left + 1) calculates the size of the range, ensuring that the result of the modulo operation is between 0 and right - left, inclusive. Adding left to this result shifts the range from 0-right - left to left-right.
Final Answer:
The code takes an integer 'a' as input. If 'a' is -1, it generates a random number between FROM and TO. Otherwise it takes another input 'b' and generates a random number between 'a' and 'b'.