What is the range in statistical terms?

The range in statistical terms refers to the difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set. This measurement provides a simple way to express the extent of variation or spread within the data. To calculate the range, you take the maximum value, subtract the minimum value, and the result gives you a clear idea of how much the values in the data set vary.

For example, if a data set contains the numbers 3, 7, and 10, the highest value is 10 and the lowest is 3. The range would be 10 - 3 = 7, indicating that there is a spread of 7 units between the smallest and largest numbers in this set. This concept is fundamental in statistics, as it serves as a basic measure of dispersion, helping to understand how widely the data points are scattered around a central value.

The other options represent different statistical measures: the average refers to the mean, the middle value indicates the median, and the most frequently occurring value signifies the mode. Each of these plays their own unique role in describing characteristics of a data set, but they do not define the range.