What is meant by the term "range" in mathematics?

The term "range" in mathematics primarily refers to the set of output or y values produced by a function or a set of data. When you consider a function, the range includes all possible values that the dependent variable (usually denoted as y) can take as the input variable (denoted as x) varies across its domain.

In the context of a dataset, the range also encompasses all values from the lowest to the highest y value represented, but the more specific definition of range in a mathematical context often focuses on the y values a function outputs. This is a crucial concept because it helps in understanding the behavior of functions and data distributions, and it is essential for analyzing how a function responds to changes in its input.

It's important to clearly differentiate this from other mathematical concepts. The maximum and minimum values represent specific points rather than the set of outputs, while the difference between the highest and lowest values refers to calculating the range quantitatively rather than identifying what values constitute the range. The input numbers, or x values, are relevant to the domain of the function rather than the outputs, which are the key focus when discussing range.