How to Find the Range of a Data Set

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In statistics, the range of a data set is known as the difference between the largest and smallest values. All you have to do to find it is to arrange the set of numbers from smallest to largest and to subtract the smallest value from the largest. [1] If you want to know how to quickly calculate the range of a data set, see Step 1 to get started.

Steps

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    Let's say your data set contains the following numbers: {7, 8, 65, 8, 4, 7}. All you have to do is rewrite them from smallest to largest, to get a better sense of the data you are working with. Here's how it would look: {4, 7, 7, 8, 8, 65}. [2]
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    In the set you are working with, the smallest number is 4 and the largest is 65. These numbers can be conveniently located on either end of the set of data, since you rearranged the numbers from smallest to largest. [3]
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    Now, all you have to do is subtract the smallest number, 4, from the largest number, 65. 65-4 = 61. [4]
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    "61" represents the range of this particular set of data. You're all done. [5] If you want to find the range of a function , then you'll have to follow a slightly more complicated process, but this is all you have to do to calculate the range of a set of data.
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  • Question
    What if there is a zero (0) in the data? For example: 6,7,3,0,2,4,4,9.
    Community Answer
    If there is a 0 in the data, it does not matter unless it is the lowest or highest number, in which case it will be used to calculate the range. In your example, the range would be 9 because 9 is the highest number and 0 is the lowest. 9-0=9.
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  • Question
    How do I find the mean in a set of data?
    Community Answer
    Add all the numbers up and divide by how many numbers there are. For example: 13, 29, 22, 23, 55, 98, 43, 22 = 305. 305 divided by 8 = 38.125. Your mean would be 38.13.
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  • Question
    What is the median of 100, 80, 90, 85, 100, 90, 100, 100?
    Community Answer
    First line up all the numbers in ascending order (80, 85, 90, 90, 100, 100, 100, 100). The median is the middle number. In this case, there are two middle numbers, so add them together (90+100= 190) and divide them by 2 (190/2= 95).
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mathsisfun.com/data/range.html
      2. ↑ https://www.mathsisfun.com/data/range.html
      3. ↑ https://virtualnerd.com/middle-math/probability-statistics/mean-median-mode-range/range-data-set
      4. ↑ https://www.khanacademy.org/math/statistics-probability/summarizing-quantitative-data/other-measures-of-spread/v/range-and-mid-range
      5. ↑ https://www.purplemath.com/modules/meanmode.htm
      6. http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/range.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To find the range of a data set, start by listing the set of numbers in order from smallest to largest. Then, take the smallest number in the list and subtract it from the largest number to find the range. Write down your answer and you're finished! For more tips, including how to define a range, read on!

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