1. **Arrange the data in order**: Arrange the data from smallest to largest or from largest to smallest, depending on your preference. This step is essential to identify the minimum and maximum values accurately.
2. **Identify the minimum and maximum values**: Once the data is arranged, determine the smallest (minimum) and largest (maximum) values in the dataset.
3. **Calculate the range**: Subtract the minimum value from the maximum value to find the range. The formula for calculating the range (R) is:
Range (R) = Maximum Value - Minimum Value
For example, let's say you have the following dataset:
8, 12, 5, 17, 10
Arrange the data in ascending order:
5, 8, 10, 12, 17
Identify the minimum value: 5
Identify the maximum value: 17
Calculate the range:
Range (R) = Maximum Value - Minimum Value
= 17 - 5
= 12
So, the range of the dataset is 12.
The range provides a measure of the spread or variability of the data. It represents the difference between the largest and smallest values in the dataset. Keep in mind that the range may not always provide a complete picture of the data's variability, especially in datasets with outliers or skewed distributions.