Range
Range measures the spread of a data set by subtracting the minimum value from the maximum value. In Grade 6 Saxon Math Course 1, students learn that range = greatest value − least value. For quiz scores 88, 92, 76, 100, 84: maximum is 100, minimum is 76, and range is 24. A large range indicates high variability; a small range indicates the data is tightly clustered. Range is one of four key statistical measures alongside mean, median, and mode.
Key Concepts
Property Range is the difference between the greatest and least numbers in a data set.
Examples For the data set \{3, 15, 8, 2, 9\}, the range is $15 2 = 13$. If test scores are 78, 95, 81, 62, and 88, the range is $95 62 = 33$. The range of heights \{150 cm, 162 cm, 145 cm, 155 cm\} is $162 145 = 17 \text{ cm}$.
Explanation Imagine you're tracking daily temperatures for a week. The range tells you the total temperature swing, from the chilliest morning to the warmest afternoon. To find it, just grab the highest number and the lowest number in your set and subtract! It's a quick way to see how spread out your data is, no calculators required.
Common Questions
What is the formula for range?
Range = greatest value − least value.
Find the range of: 88, 92, 76, 100, 84.
Maximum = 100, minimum = 76. Range = 100 − 76 = 24.
What does a large range tell you?
The data values are spread far apart — there is high variability between the smallest and largest values.
Can the range be zero?
Yes. If every value in the data set is identical, the range is 0.
How does range differ from mean?
Mean measures the center (average) of the data; range measures the spread (how far apart the extreme values are).