How to Find the Range of a Data Set

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

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

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-1.jpg\/aid579341-v4-728px-Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-2.jpg\/aid579341-v4-728px-Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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]
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-3.jpg\/aid579341-v4-728px-Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Now, all you have to do is subtract the smallest number, 4, from the largest number, 65. 65-4 = 61. [4]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-4.jpg\/aid579341-v4-728px-Find-the-Range-of-a-Data-Set-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    "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.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 28 Helpful 99
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 16 Helpful 39
  • 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).
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 17 Helpful 47
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Finding the Factors of a Number: A Tutorial
      How to
      Make a Pie Chart
      How to
      Find the IQR
      How to
      Calculate Standard Deviation
      How to
      Calculate Weighted Average
      How to
      Find the Perfect Sample Size for Your Research Study
      How to
      Find Standard Deviation on the TI–84
      How to
      Calculate Lotto Odds
      How to
      Calculate Cumulative Frequency
      How to
      Calculate Probability
      How to
      Calculate Odds
      How to
      Calculate Variance
      How to
      Calculate Uncertainty
      How to
      Read Odds
      Advertisement

      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!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 706,537 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Amina

        Dec 14, 2021

        "It helped because I didn't understand it at first but it turned out to help me by making the problem more ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement