Why is it so difficult to find a nonce while validating a block in Bitcoin

+1 vote

I know that a block is based on a random number called a nonce that is unknown to the miner. Then how is that number actually verified as the correct nonce and not some arbitrary number? And why is it so difficult to determine?

Apr 11, 2018 in Blockchain by Johnathon
• 9,090 points
2,106 views

1 answer to this question.

+1 vote
Best answer

A nonce is just "some arbitrary number". In order to understand how it is found, you have to understand the hashing process by which blocks are produced. 

Cryptographic hashes are a mathematical way of turning any set of data into a random number, called a hash. This is a one way process, that is, it's easy to calculate the hash of some value but the vice versa - to find a value with a specific hash - is impossible to determine.

Having even a slightly different set of value will produce a totally different hash, and so that the only way to find a hash with a particular property is to calculate them again and again till the miner gets lucky!

So when a miner is checking billions of hashes per second, they are actually changing the nonce to something else, then checking the hash of the whole block; then changing the nonce to something else, then checking the hash of the (now slightly different) block; then changing the nonce again, and so on. You get the idea.

answered Apr 11, 2018 by Perry
• 17,100 points

selected Aug 7, 2018 by Omkar

Related Questions In Blockchain

0 votes
1 answer

In a Blockchain, how difficult is it to modify the third to last block?

Technically, it's not difficult at all, all ...READ MORE

answered Apr 20, 2018 in Blockchain by Christine
• 15,790 points
1,038 views
+1 vote
1 answer
0 votes
2 answers

Why is network already up to date while trying to deploy a contract on truffle?

I guess you have ganache running already ...READ MORE

answered Apr 24, 2018 in Blockchain by Shashank
• 10,400 points
4,591 views
0 votes
0 answers
+1 vote
2 answers

How can a public proof of work be secured?

Bitcoin was the first implementation of blockchain, ...READ MORE

answered May 9, 2018 in Blockchain by Johnathon
• 9,090 points
840 views
+1 vote
1 answer

Protocols used in a distributed/dlt system for the nodes to establish communication

yes all are over TCP/IP connections secured ...READ MORE

answered Aug 6, 2018 in Blockchain by aryya
• 7,460 points
1,458 views
0 votes
1 answer

Truffle tests not running after truffle init

This was a bug. They've fixed it. ...READ MORE

answered Sep 11, 2018 in Blockchain by Christine
• 15,790 points
1,941 views
0 votes
1 answer

Hyperledger Sawtooth vs Quorum in concurrency and speed Ask

Summary: Both should provide similar reliability of ...READ MORE

answered Sep 26, 2018 in IoT (Internet of Things) by Upasana
• 8,620 points
1,466 views
+1 vote
1 answer

Is it possible to store blockchain in a sql or no-sql database?

Currently, following are the options to store ...READ MORE

answered Apr 21, 2018 in Blockchain by Perry
• 17,100 points

edited Aug 9, 2018 by Omkar 1,169 views
+1 vote
1 answer

Is there a way to send funds from a specific bitcoin address in a wallet?

I'll answer my own question, It was unbelievably ...READ MORE

answered Sep 3, 2018 in Blockchain by Perry
• 17,100 points
1,437 views
webinar REGISTER FOR FREE WEBINAR X
REGISTER NOW
webinar_success Thank you for registering Join Edureka Meetup community for 100+ Free Webinars each month JOIN MEETUP GROUP