1. What is the Range of Sample Data?

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 range formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The range gives the span of the dataset but is sensitive to outliers. It's most useful for small datasets or when you need a quick estimate of variability.

3. Importance of Range Calculation

Details: Range is fundamental in descriptive statistics, helping researchers understand data spread quickly. It's used in quality control, preliminary data analysis, and when reporting basic statistics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the maximum and minimum values from your dataset. Both values must be valid numbers, with max greater than min. The result will be in the same units as your input.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When should I use range versus standard deviation?
A: Range is simpler but less robust. Use range for quick estimates or small datasets, standard deviation for more precise measures of spread.

Q2: What are the limitations of range?
A: Range is highly sensitive to outliers and doesn't show how data is distributed between the extremes.

Q3: Can range be negative?
A: No, range is always non-negative as it's the difference between max and min values.

Q4: How does sample size affect range?
A: Range tends to increase with sample size as you're more likely to encounter extreme values.

Q5: Is range affected by units of measurement?
A: Yes, range has the same units as the original data, so changing units will change the range value proportionally.