How is the range of a dataset calculated?

The range of a dataset is calculated by finding the difference between the highest and lowest scores in that dataset. This method provides a simple measure of the dispersion or spread of values in the data. By subtracting the smallest value from the largest value, you effectively quantify the extent of the data set, highlighting how much variation there is between the extremes.

For example, if a dataset consists of the numbers 4, 7, 2, 9, and 5, the highest score is 9 and the lowest score is 2. Therefore, the range would be calculated as 9 - 2, which equals 7. This shows that there is a spread of 7 units between the smallest and largest numbers in this dataset.

Understanding the concept of range is crucial in statistics as it gives a quick sense of the extent of the data without delving into more complex measures of variability.