Which data description denotes the difference between the maximum and minimum values in a dataset?

• A. Mean
• B. Median
• C. Mode
• D. Range

Answer: (D)

Spread in a dataset is described by how far apart the smallest and largest values are. The range captures this by subtracting the minimum from the maximum, giving a single number that represents the overall extent of variation. This is why it’s the description that denotes the difference between the maximum and minimum values. The other options describe central tendency rather than spread: the mean is the average value, the median is the middle value when ordered, and the mode is the most frequently occurring value. So they don’t convey how far the data extend from the ends. Keep in mind the range is simple and can be affected by outliers, and it doesn’t tell you how values are distributed in between.