Math Example--Measures of Central Tendency--Range: Example 22

Topic

Measures of Central Tendency

Description

This example illustrates how to find the range of the following set of numbers: 33, -42, -13, 1, -17, -40, -2, -34, 25, 9, -19, -5, 30, -1, -5, 26, 42, -40. The solution involves arranging the numbers from least to greatest and finding the difference between the two extremes. The range is calculated to be 84. This example is particularly valuable as it includes a mix of positive and negative values, helping students understand how to handle diverse datasets when calculating the range.

In the broader context of measures of central tendency, examples like this are crucial for developing a comprehensive understanding of data analysis. The range provides insight into the spread of data, complementing other measures such as mean, median, and mode. By working through multiple examples with varying types of numbers, students can better grasp how these measures work together to provide a complete picture of a dataset's distribution.

Teacher's Script: Now, let's take a closer look at this example. We'll start by organizing our numbers from smallest to largest, paying special attention to the negative values. Then, we'll identify the minimum and maximum values to calculate the range. Remember, when working with negative numbers, we use the absolute value of the difference. This process will help us understand how the range represents the spread of our data, especially when dealing with a mix of positive and negative numbers. Can you think of any limitations of using the range as a measure of spread in this case?

For a complete collection of math examples related to Measures of Central Tendency click on this link: Math Examples: Measures of Central Tendency: Range Collection.