PSAT Math Multiple-Choice Question 750: Answer and Explanation

Question: 750

Suppose that the random selection process of numbers between 1 and 100 was conducted for a group of 100 values and for a group of 1,000 values. After the selection process is completed, the range of each group is determined. What would most likely be closest to the difference between each group's range of values?

• A. 0
• B. 20
• C. 50
• D. 100

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) The range is the difference between the maximum and minimum values in the set. With such large data sets, it is highly likely that both sets would have a wide range of large and small values, with both almost certainly having a value close to or at 1 and a value close to or at 100. So the range for both sets would be about 100. The difference between the ranges is calculated by subtracting one range from the other: 100 - 100 = 0.