Definition:Die

Definition


A die (plural: dice) is a device for generating random numbers, traditionally between $1$ and $6$.

A die usually consists of a cube on which each face denotes a different number, usually (again) from $1$ to $6$.

Traditionally, opposite faces add to $7$, so:
 * $1$ is opposite $6$
 * $2$ is opposite $5$
 * $3$ is opposite $4$.

The idea is that when you roll it, or throw it, or otherwise cause it to land upon a flattish surface, one of the sides will be face-up, and (with a good design of die) which side that is can not be precisely predicted.

Hence it serves as a generator of a discrete uniform distribution.

By using dice with different shapes (usually either platonic solids or prisms), a different probability space can be generated.

Also see

 * Definition:Coin