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Calculate the range

The range of a finite data set is the difference between its greatest and least values, found by subtracting the minimum from the maximum; repeated values do not change the range, and the result is expressed in the same units as the data. It describes the total span of the observations and provides a basic measure of variability, but does not include interquartile range, variance, or other more advanced measures of spread.

Detailed Explanation: Calculate the range

The range tells how far apart the smallest and largest values are.

To find the range:

  1. Find the greatest value.
  2. Find the least value.
  3. Subtract the least value from the greatest value.
Range=greatest value−least value\text{Range}=\text{greatest value}-\text{least value}

Example: The numbers of pages read by five students are:

12, 18, 15, 18, 912,\ 18,\ 15,\ 18,\ 9
  • Greatest value: 1818
  • Least value: 99
  • Subtract:
18−9=918-9=9

The range is 99 pages. The repeated value 1818 does not change the range.

Learn by doing: Calculate the range

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Statistics - Solve for Range


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