ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Combined linear congruential generator

A combined linear congruential generator (CLCG) is like having two very special machines that can create numbers in a special way.

Imagine you have two big boxes that are filled with millions of small balls. Each ball has a number on it, and the numbers go from 0 to a really big number that you can choose.

Now, you also have two special machines that can take the balls out of the boxes and create new numbers in a certain way.

The first machine takes a ball from the first box and multiplies it by a big number that you choose. Then, it adds another big number that you also choose. After all of that, it takes the result and divides it by another big number that you choose. The answer from that division is the first part of your new number.

The second machine works in almost the same way, but it uses a different set of big numbers to create the second part of your new number.

When you use both of these machines together, you get a new kind of number that seems like it is completely random. However, because of the way that the machines work, the numbers actually repeat themselves after a very long time.

The CLCG is useful in many different areas, like in computer simulations, video games, and cryptography. It's like having your own special number-making machine that you can use whenever you want!
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