Interpreting Data: What's the Range?

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Step 1: Order Your Data

Before you do anything else, list your numbers in order from smallest to largest.

Example

2, 5, 2, 3, 3

Ordered

2, 2, 3, 3, 5

Step 2: Identify the Extremes

Look at the smallest number (the minimum) and the largest number (the maximum).

In This Example

Smallest = 2

Largest = 5

Step 3: Subtract to Find the Range

Subtract the smallest number from the largest.

5 − 2 = 3

That’s the range!

Another Example

Taye’s baseball team tracked how many home runs each player hit: 4, 7, 3, 2, 3.

Ordered: 2, 3, 3, 4, 7

Smallest = 2

Largest = 7

Range = 7 − 2 = 5 home runs

Why the Range Matters

The range shows you how much variety is in your data. A small range means the numbers are close together, while a large range means there’s a big difference between the smallest and largest values.

Range can help in many ways.

• Comparing game scores to see how competitive the matches were.

• Checking ticket prices to decide what you can afford.

• Planning a meal that cooks multiple dishes at different oven temperatures.

Quick Tip Recap

1. Put numbers in order.

2. Identify the smallest and largest values.

3. Subtract the smallest from the largest.

You’ve just learned how to measure the “stretch” in your data.

Now, practice finding ranges in different situations—some sporty, some tasty, and some totally unexpected! Head to the Got It? section.