Step by step
The question
Question: find the range of 3, 5, 5, 7, 8, 5 and 2.
Range of 3, 5, 5, 7, 8, 5, 2
The range shows how spread out the numbers are: the biggest minus the smallest.
range = biggest − smallest
1 Put them in order
First we put them in order, smallest first: 2, 3, 5, 5, 5, 7 and 8.
2, 3, 5, 5, 5, 7, 8
We still have 7 numbers.
None is lost.
7 numbers ✓
2 Smallest and biggest
In order, the smallest is first and the biggest is last.
The smallest is 2.
The biggest is 8.
smallest = 2, biggest = 8
3 Take away
The range is the biggest minus the smallest.
range = 8 − 2
8 minus 2 is 6.
range = 6
Let's look back.
First: put them in order.
Then: smallest and biggest.
Last: take away.
Answer
range = 6