Statistics
Range
A measure of spread rather than of centre. Two lists can share a mean and have very different ranges.
The Formula
range = largest - smallest
A measure of spread rather than of centre. Two lists can share a mean and have very different ranges.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| x_max | Largest value | same unit as the data | The maximum in the list. |
| x_min | Smallest value | same unit as the data | The minimum in the list. |
| R | Range | same unit as the data | How far the data stretches. |
What Each Symbol Means
x_maxsame unit as the data
Largest value
The maximum in the list.
x_minsame unit as the data
Smallest value
The minimum in the list.
Rsame unit as the data
Range
How far the data stretches.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate the average (mean, median and mode) page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate The Average (Mean, Median And Mode), filed under Math. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.