Grade 6 Math · Topic 67

Range

The range measures how spread out the data are. It is the difference between the largest and smallest values. Range is a simple measure of variability.

Lesson alignment: 6.SP.B.5.c · Take your time. You can return to this lesson whenever you need it.

Explore visually

Find the range from the endpoints

The range is the distance from the smallest value to the largest value.

Think first: Which endpoints determine the full spread of this data set?

Ready? Reveal the model and try your prediction

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Follow the worked examples

Read each step, then cover the explanation and see if you can explain why it works.

Worked example 1

Find the range: 4, 9, 2, 7, 11, 5.

The range compares the largest and smallest values. Max = 11, min = 2. Range = 11 - 2 = 9.

Answer: 9

Worked example 2

Find the range: 50, 65, 72, 58, 81, 49.

The range compares the largest and smallest values. Max = 81, min = 49. Range = 81 - 49 = 32.

Answer: 32

Try a few on your own

Work these on paper first. Open “Check” when you are ready to compare your answer.

  1. 3, 8, 5, 12, 6
    Check

    9

  2. 15, 22, 18, 30, 25
    Check

    15

  3. 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8
    Check

    7

  4. 40, 55, 47, 62, 50
    Check

    22

  5. 100, 85, 92, 78, 95
    Check

    22

  6. 7, 14, 9, 11, 6, 13
    Check

    8

  7. 2.5, 3.1, 1.8, 4.2, 2.9
    Check

    2.4

  8. 19, 23, 17, 25, 21, 20
    Check

    8

Try this situation 1

Daily high temperatures (in °F) for a week were 68, 72, 75, 70, 65, 80, 74. Find the range.

Show a worked solution

Answer: 15°F.

The range compares the largest and smallest values. Max = 80, min = 65. 80 - 65 = 15.

Try this situation 2

Two students each have a mean of 85. Student A's scores range is 5; student B's is 30. Whose scores are more consistent?

Show a worked solution

Answer: Student A.

A smaller range means values are closer together, so A's scores are more consistent.

Fresh questions · saved on this device

Practice this skill

16 question pool

Try a fresh set each time. Answer one question, check your thinking, and read the explanation. If you miss one, return to the visual model and try another round.

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Check what you learned

Answer these five questions on your own. You can review the explanations after you submit and try again whenever you like. This short check is for practice, not a grade.

1. The test scores for students are: 78, 82, 95, 88, 91, 79, 85, 92. What is the range?

2. Find the range of: 15, 23, 8, 19, 31, 12

3. The quiz scores are: 65, 78, 92, 84, 88, 71, 95, 80. What is the range of these scores?

4. The ages of players on a basketball team are: 16, 17, 15, 18, 16, 19, 17, 16. What is the range of ages?

5. Find the range of 11, 6, 15, and 8.

Practice and finish

Try the linked topic quiz for more practice. If something is tricky, return to the example and look for the step that changes the numbers or representation.

Open the practice quiz

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More Grade 6 resources

Use these free materials if you want another explanation, extra paper practice, or a broader review.

Browse free Grade 6 topic lessons ↗Print Grade 6 worksheets ↗Review Grade 6 flashcards ↗Open the formula review ↗Try the Statistics & Data quiz ↗Try a full practice test ↗