sample {base} | R Documentation

## Random Samples and Permutations

### Description

`sample` takes a sample of the specified size from the elements of `x` using either with or without replacement.

### Usage

    sample(x, size, replace=FALSE, prob)

### Arguments

`x` | Either a (numeric, complex, character or logical) vector of more than one elements from which to choose, or a positive integer.
`size` | A positive integer giving the number of items to choose.
`replace` | Should sampling be with replacement?
`prob` | A vector of probabilities of obtaining the elements of the vector being sampled.

### Details

If `x` has length 1, sampling takes place from `1:x`.

By default `size` is equal to `length(x)` so that `sample(x)` generates a random permutation of the elements of `x` (or `1:x`).

The optional `prob` argument can be used to give a vector of probabilities of obtaining the elements of the vector being sampled. If `replace` is false, these probabilities are applied sequentially, that is the probability of choosing the next item is proportional to the probabilities amongst the remaining items.

### Examples

    x <- 1:12
    # a random permutation
    sample(x)
    # bootstrap sampling
    sample(x,replace=TRUE)

    # 100 Bernoulli trials
    sample(c(0,1), 100, replace = TRUE)

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