Find the range: Step-by-step example
23 October 2026
Knowing how to find the range helps your child compare sets of numbers quickly. The range shows the difference between the highest and lowest values in a list. Here is a simple example to show exactly how it works.
Worked example
Find the range of these numbers: 4, 7, 9, 2, 8
First, find the largest number. That is 9.
Next, find the smallest number. That is 2.
Subtract the smallest number from the largest: 9 - 2 = 7
The correct answer is 7.
| Number |
|---|
| 2 |
| 4 |
| 7 |
| 8 |
| 9 |
Now your child can spot the largest and smallest numbers in any group and work out the range. This is a key skill for 11+ maths and comes up in topics like averages and data. Try a similar question to practise finding the range.
