Define the range in a data set.

The range in a data set is defined as the difference between the highest and lowest values. This measure gives a simple indication of how spread out the values are within the data set. By subtracting the minimum value from the maximum value, you can determine the extent of variation.

In practical terms, calculating the range helps to understand the variability and distribution of data. For instance, if the maximum value in a data set is 100 and the minimum is 20, the range would be 100 - 20 = 80, indicating a wide spread of values. This can be especially useful when comparing different data sets or assessing consistency and variability in the context of statistical analysis.

While other options address different statistical concepts—like the average, the median, and frequency of values—they do not define the range correctly. These terms relate to measures of central tendency or distribution characteristics, whereas the range specifically focuses on the extremes of the data.