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Reference.org
Middle-square method
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Mathematics/pxTouaz4">mathematics</a> and computer science, the middle-square method is a method of generating <a href="/facts/Pseudorandom_number/kfs1wfhY">pseudorandom numbers</a>. In practice it is a highly flawed method for many practical purposes, since its <a href="/facts/Pseudorandom_number_generator/sIrCxIBq">period</a> is usually very short and it has some severe weaknesses; repeated enough times, the middle-square method will either begin repeatedly generating the same number or cycle to a previous number in the sequence and loop indefinitely. </p>