How to Find the Range of a Data Set

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Arrange the set of numbers in order from smallest to largest.

   Let's say your data set contains the following numbers: {7, 8, 65, 8, 4, 7}.
   
   All you have to do is rewrite them from smallest to largest, to get a better sense of the data you are working with.
   
   Here's how it would look: {4, 7, 7, 8, 8, 65}.
2. 2

   Step 2: Identify the smallest and largest numbers in the set.

   In the set you are working with, the smallest number is 4 and the largest is
   65.
   
   These numbers can be conveniently located on either end of the set of data, since you rearranged the numbers from smallest to largest. , Now, all you have to do is subtract the smallest number, 4, from the largest number,
   65. 65-4 =
   61. , "61" represents the range of this particular set of data.
   
   You're all done.
   
   If you want to find the range of a function, then you'll have to follow a slightly more complicated process, but this is all you have to do to calculate the range of a set of data.
3. 3

   Step 3: Subtract the smallest number from the largest.

4. 4

   Step 4: Write down your range.

Detailed Guide

About the Author