What is the difference between a range and a distribution?

A range is the difference between the highest and lowest values in a set. A distribution refers to how the values are spread out.

In statistics, the range is a measure of dispersion that indicates the difference between the highest and lowest values in a set of data. It is calculated by subtracting the lowest value from the highest value. For example, if a set of test scores ranges from 60 to 90, the range is 30. The range is a simple measure of dispersion that is easy to calculate, but it can be affected by outliers.

A distribution, on the other hand, refers to how the values in a set are spread out. It provides information about the shape, center, and spread of the data. There are different types of distributions, such as normal, skewed, and bimodal. The shape of the distribution can be affected by factors such as sample size, measurement error, and underlying processes that generate the data.

Understanding the difference between range and distribution is important in data analysis. While the range provides a simple measure of dispersion, it does not provide information about the shape of the data. The distribution, on the other hand, provides a more complete picture of how the values are spread out, which can help in making inferences and drawing conclusions about the data.