Vaihteluvälin

Vaihteluväli, in Finnish, translates to "range" in English. It is a fundamental statistical concept used to describe the spread or dispersion of a dataset. The range is calculated by subtracting the minimum value in a dataset from the maximum value. For example, if a dataset contains the numbers 3, 7, 10, 15, and 20, the minimum value is 3 and the maximum value is 20. The range would therefore be 20 - 3 = 17.

The range provides a simple measure of variability, indicating the total span covered by the data points. It is easy to calculate and understand, making it useful for quick initial assessments of data distribution. However, the range is highly sensitive to outliers, which are extreme values that lie far outside the general pattern of the data. A single very large or very small outlier can significantly inflate the range, potentially misrepresenting the typical spread of the majority of the data.

Due to its sensitivity to extreme values, the range is often considered a less robust measure of dispersion compared to other statistical indicators like the interquartile range or standard deviation. Nevertheless, it remains a valuable tool for basic data exploration, particularly when paired with other descriptive statistics. It is commonly encountered in introductory statistics and in situations where a quick, albeit simple, understanding of data spread is sufficient.