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.
 | This definition needs to be completed. In particular: Describe general polyhedral dice, or link to a Wikipedia article on FRP or something. You can help $\mathsf{Pr} \infty \mathsf{fWiki}$ by adding or completing the definition. To discuss this page in more detail, feel free to use the talk page. When this work has been completed, you may remove this instance of {{DefinitionWanted}} from the code.If you would welcome a second opinion as to whether your work is correct, add a call to {{Proofread}} the page. |
Also see
Historical Note
Dice have been around for thousands of years, and have formed the basis of humanity's love-affair with gambling throughout history.
Even the clothing of Jesus Christ was reportedly gambled for at his crucifixion in a dice game.
An early reference to the design of a die can be found in W.R. Paton's $1918$ translation of The Greek Anthology Book XIV:
- The numbers on a die run so: six one, five two, three four.
Linguistic Note
Note that the plural of die is dice.
Beware the tendency to use the word dice as a singular noun:
- I threw a dice and it came up six
as this (while colloquial) is technically incorrect.
Sources
- 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): die