California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Math Practice Exam

What does the range of data indicate?

1. The sum of all values in the data set

2. The maximum value in the data set

3. The difference between the greatest and least values in the data set

4. The average value of the data set

The correct answer is: The difference between the greatest and least values in the data set

The range of data is defined as the difference between the greatest and least values in a data set. It provides a measure of how spread out the values are within that set. By calculating the range, you can gain insight into the variability or dispersion of the data, indicating the extent of variation from the lowest to the highest value. This characteristic is essential in statistics, as it helps to understand the distribution of data points and can be useful for identifying outliers or the overall data spread. The sum of all values gives a total but does not indicate how dispersed the values are. The maximum value tells you only the highest point in the data set, while the average provides a measure of central tendency but does not reflect the variability among the values. Thus, the range specifically captures the difference necessary to understand the extent of variation in values.