Range is a statistical measure that quantifies the spread or dispersion of a set of values in a data set. Specifically, it is calculated as the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value within the data.
When you consider the concept of range, you're essentially looking at how wide the values are distributed across the data set. A larger range indicates that the values are spread out over a wider interval, while a smaller range suggests that the values are clustered more closely together.
For example, if the maximum value in a data set is 20 and the minimum value is 5, the range would be calculated as (20 - 5 = 15). This simple calculation provides immediate insight into the variability of the values in the data set, making it a fundamental concept in understanding data distribution.
The other options refer to different statistical concepts. The average of the maximum and minimum values represents the midpoint but does not reflect the spread of the values. The total number of values included is a count of entries, while central tendency pertains to the typical or average value in a data set, which does not directly convey the information provided by the range.