C++ :: Triangular Distribution For Creating Momentum Four Vector

In my problem I am to create a base class to represent a four vector (a concept in physics involving a four dimensional vector) then create a derived class specifically to represent the four momentum of a particle which inherits from the base class. I have been supplied a small piece of code to use to generate a 'random' x y and z component of the momentum magnitude. The code is as follows

#include <cstdlib>
double triangular(double momentum){
double x, y;
do{
x = momentum*rand()/RAND_MAX;
y = x/momentum;
} while (1.0*rand()/RAND_MAX > y);
return x;
}

It is said in my problem that this code is supposed to generate the magnitude, and then randomly split into x, y and z components. This code returns a single value and so I cannot see how it is doing what it says in the problem.