What does the range measure in a data set?

The range of a data set measures the difference between the highest and lowest values. This metric provides a simple understanding of the spread or dispersion within the data. By determining how far apart these two values are, one can quickly assess how varied the data points are. A larger range indicates more variability, while a smaller range suggests that the values are closer together.

In contrast, the average, or mean, which is the calculation of the total sum of values divided by the number of values, gives a central point of the data but does not provide information about the spread. Similarly, the mode, which identifies the most frequently occurring value, does not address the overall distribution of values within the dataset. Overall, the range is a straightforward tool for quickly gauging the extent of variation present in a series of numbers.