1. What is the Range?

The range is the simplest measure of statistical dispersion, representing the difference between the largest and smallest values in a dataset. It provides a quick estimate of the spread of the data.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple range formula:

Where:

• \( R \) — Range (same units as data)
• \( max \) — Maximum value in the dataset
• \( min \) — Minimum value in the dataset

Explanation: The range gives the span of the data distribution but is sensitive to outliers.

3. Importance of Range Calculation

Details: While simple, the range is useful for quick data assessment, quality control, and understanding the spread of measurements in fields like engineering, science, and economics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the maximum and minimum values from your dataset. Both values must be valid numbers, and max must be greater than or equal to min.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the limitations of range?
A: Range only considers two data points and is highly sensitive to outliers. It doesn't show how data is distributed between the extremes.

Q2: When is range most useful?
A: For small datasets or when you need a quick estimate of variability. Also useful when extremes are particularly important (e.g., safety limits).

Q3: What's the difference between range and interquartile range?
A: Interquartile range (IQR) measures the middle 50% of data, making it more resistant to outliers than the full range.

Q4: Can range be negative?
A: No, range is always non-negative as it's the difference between max and min (max ≥ min by definition).

Q5: How does sample size affect range?
A: Range tends to increase with sample size as you're more likely to observe extreme values in larger samples.