Calculate the range of 20, -6, 25, 30, 21, 28, 32, 33, 34, 5, 3, 2, and 1.

Analysis

To find the range of a set of data, you need to identify the difference between the highest value and the lowest value in the set.

Concept

The formula for range is:

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: List the given numbers. The set is: 20, -6, 25, 30, 21, 28, 32, 33, 34, 5, 3, 2, 1.

Step 2: Identify the highest value. Looking through the list, the largest number is 34.

Step 3: Identify the lowest value. Looking through the list, the smallest number is -6.

Step 4: Apply the formula.

When you subtract a negative number, it becomes addition:

Conclusion

Comparing our result to the options provided: A. 32 B. 36 C. 33 D. 40

The calculated range is 40, which matches option D.

Exam Tip

Always be careful with negative numbers! In statistics questions, students often mistakenly pick the smallest positive number (in this case, 1) instead of the actual lowest value (-6). Remember: on a number line, any negative number is always smaller than a positive number.