Area vs. Range — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 17, 2024
Area refers to the extent of a two-dimensional space within boundaries, used in geometry; range denotes the spread of values in data or the distance over which something can operate.
Difference Between Area and Range
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Area is a mathematical concept measuring the size of a surface in square units, like square feet or square meters. Range, in mathematics and statistics, represents the difference between the highest and lowest values in a dataset.
Area can be calculated for various shapes such as squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles, each with specific formulas. Range is applicable in contexts like data analysis, where it helps in understanding the variability or dispersion of data points.
Area is crucial in fields like real estate, architecture, and land management, where spatial dimensions are essential for planning and development. Range, on the other hand, is significant in statistical analysis, signal processing, and when assessing the operational limits of devices or systems.
Area is always a positive quantity and provides a measure of the extent a shape covers. Range can be zero (when all values are the same) or more, indicating the spread or scope of data or capabilities.
Area involves precise calculations and is determined by established geometrical formulas. Range is more about assessing differences and can be easily computed as the subtraction of the minimum value from the maximum value in a set.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Measure of two-dimensional space
Difference between highest and lowest value
Units
Square units (e.g., sq. meters)
Same units as the data measured
Application
Geometry, real estate
Statistics, data analysis
Calculation
Specific formulas per shape
Max value - Min value
Importance
Space utilization, planning
Data variability, operational limits
Compare with Definitions
Area
Extent of a surface.
The area of the classroom is 500 square feet.
Range
Spread between two extremes.
The range of temperatures this week has been between 70 and 85 degrees.
Area
Region within a boundary.
The picnic took place in the designated area of the park.
Range
The set of all output values of a function.
The range of this function includes all positive numbers.
Area
Zone designated for a specific purpose.
The construction area is off-limits to visitors.
Range
Scope or extent of operation.
The drone has a range of 10 kilometers.
Area
Scope of knowledge or interest.
She specializes in the area of molecular biology.
Range
Variety or diversity of things.
The restaurant offers a wide range of vegetarian dishes.
Area
Part of a surface or space.
He marked the area on the map where the treasure was buried.
Range
Distance capacity of a vehicle or weapon.
The artillery has a range of 15 miles.
Area
Area is the quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional region, shape, or planar lamina, in the plane. Surface area is its analog on the two-dimensional surface of a three-dimensional object.
Range
The area of variation between upper and lower limits on a particular scale
Grand hotels were outside my price range
The cost will be in the range of $1–5 million a day
Area
A roughly bounded part of the space on a surface; a region:a farming area; the New York area.
Range
A set of different things of the same general type
The company's new carpet range
The area offers a wide range of activities for the tourist
Area
A surface, especially an open, unoccupied piece of ground:a landing area; a playing area.
Range
The distance within which a person can see or hear
Something lurked just beyond her range of vision
Area
A distinct part or section, as of a building, set aside for a specific function:a storage area in the basement.
Range
A line or series of mountains or hills
A mountain range
Area
A division of experience, activity, or knowledge; a field:studies in the area of finance; a job in the health-care area.
Range
A large area of open land for grazing or hunting
On dude ranches, tourists put on crisp new western gear to ride the range
Area
An open, sunken space next to a building; an areaway.
Range
A large cooking stove with burners or hotplates and one or more ovens, all of which are kept continually hot
A wood-burning kitchen range
Area
Abbr. AThe extent of a planar region or of the surface of a solid measured in square units.
Range
A row of buildings
Townesend's Durham quadrangle range at Trinity College
Area
(mathematics) A measure of the extent of a surface; it is measured in square units.
Range
The direction or position in which something lies
The range of the hills and valleys is nearly from north to south
Area
A particular geographic region.
Range
Vary or extend between specified limits
Prices range from £30 to £100
Area
Any particular extent of surface, especially an empty or unused extent.
The photo is a little dark in that area.
Range
Place or arrange in a row or rows or in a specified manner
A table with half a dozen chairs ranged around it
Area
The extent, scope, or range of an object or concept.
The plans are a bit vague in that area.
Range
Place oneself or be placed in opposition to (a person or group)
Japan ranged herself against the European nations
Area
(British) An open space, below ground level, giving access to the basement of a house, and typically separated from the pavement by railings.
Range
(of a person or animal) travel or wander over a wide area
Patrols ranged deep into enemy territory
Free-ranging groups of baboons
Tribes who ranged the windswept lands of the steppe
Area
(soccer) Penalty box; penalty area.
Range
Obtain the range of a target by adjustment after firing past it or short of it, or by the use of radar or laser equipment
Radar-type transmissions which appeared to be ranging on our convoys
Area
(slang) Genitals.
Range
(of a person or their lifestyle) orderly; settled
It's possible to be too rangé
By comparison with Strachey, Keynes was rangé
Area
Any plane surface, as of the floor of a room or church, or of the ground within an inclosure; an open space in a building.
The Alban lake . . . looks like the area of some vast amphitheater.
Range
A number or grouping of things in the same category or within specified limits
Offers a range of financial services.
Jobs at different pay ranges.
Area
The inclosed space on which a building stands.
Range
An amount or extent of variation
A wide price range.
The range of genetic diversity.
Area
The sunken space or court, giving ingress and affording light to the basement of a building.
Range
(Music) The gamut of tones that a voice or instrument is capable of producing. Also called compass.
Area
An extent of surface; a tract of the earth's surface; a region; as, vast uncultivated areas.
Range
A class, rank, or order
The lower ranges of society.
Area
The superficial contents of any figure; the surface included within any given lines; superficial extent; as, the area of a square or a triangle.
Range
Extent of perception, knowledge, experience, or ability
Calculus is simply out of my range.
Area
A spot or small marked space; as, the germinative area.
Range
The area or sphere in which an activity takes place
Beyond the range of the court's jurisdiction.
Area
Extent; scope; range; as, a wide area of thought.
The largest area of human history and man's common nature.
Range
The maximum extent or distance limiting operation, action, or effectiveness, as of a sound, radio signal, instrument, firearm, or aircraft
The limited range of the telescope.
Out of range of their guns.
Within hearing range.
Area
A particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography);
It was a mountainous area
Bible country
Range
The maximum distance that can be covered by a vehicle with a specified payload before its fuel supply is exhausted.
Area
A particular environment or walk of life;
His social sphere is limited
It was a closed area of employment
He's out of my orbit
Range
The distance between a projectile weapon and its target.
Area
A subject of study;
It was his area of specialization
Areas of interest include...
Range
A place equipped for practice in shooting at targets.
Area
A part of a structure having some specific characteristic or function;
The spacious cooking area provided plenty of room for servants
Range
A testing area at which rockets and missiles are launched and tracked.
Area
A part of an animal that has a special function or is supplied by a given artery or nerve;
In the abdominal region
Range
A place or business where golf shots can be practiced.
Area
The extent of a 2-dimensional surface enclosed within a boundary;
The area of a rectangle
It was about 500 square feet in area
Range
An extensive area of open land on which livestock wander and graze.
Range
The geographic region in which a plant, animal, or other organism normally lives or grows.
Range
The opportunity or freedom to wander or explore
We had free range of the campus.
Range
(Mathematics) The set of all values a given function may take on.
Range
(Statistics) The difference or interval between the smallest and largest values in a frequency distribution or a set of data.
Range
A group or series of things extending in a line or row, especially a row or chain of mountains.
Range
One of a series of double-faced bookcases in a library stack room.
Range
A north-south strip of townships, each six miles square, numbered east and west from a specified meridian in a US public land survey.
Range
A stove with spaces for cooking a number of things at the same time.
Range
To vary within specified limits
Sizes that range from small to extra large.
Range
To extend in a particular direction
A river that ranges to the east.
Range
To cover or have application to a number of things
Their conversation ranged over the major issues of the day. Her responsibilities range across all aspects of the negotiations.
Range
To move through, along, or around in an area or region
Raiders ranged up and down the coast.
Range
To wander freely; roam
Allowed the animals to range freely.
Range
To look over something or around an area or place
The teacher's eyes ranged over the class.
Range
To live or grow within a particular region
"Some animals and plants range over a large portion of the world, yet retain the same character" (Charles Darwin).
Range
To arrange or dispose in a particular order, especially in rows or lines
"In the front seats of the galleries were ranged the ladies of the court" (Carolly Erickson).
Range
To assign to a particular category; classify
Her works are often ranged under the headings Mystery and Science Fiction.
Range
To move through or along or around in (an area or region)
The scouts ranged the mountain forests. The patrol boat ranged the coast.
Range
To look over or throughout (something)
His eyes ranged the room, looking for the letter.
Range
To turn (livestock) onto an extensive area of open land for grazing.
Range
To align (a gun, for example) with a target.
Range
To determine the distance of (a target).
Range
To be capable of reaching (a maximum distance).
Range
(Nautical) To uncoil (an anchor cable) on deck so the anchor may descend easily.
Range
A line or series of mountains, buildings, etc.
Range
A fireplace; a fire or other cooking apparatus; now specifically, a large cooking stove with many hotplates.
Range
Selection, array.
We sell a wide range of cars.
Range
An area for practicing shooting at targets.
Range
An area for military training or equipment testing.
Range
The distance from a person or sensor to an object, target, emanation, or event.
We could see the ship at a range of five miles.
One can use the speed of sound to estimate the range of a lightning flash.
Range
The maximum distance or reach of capability (of a weapon, radio, detector, etc.).
This missile's range is 500 kilometres.
Range
The distance a vehicle (e.g., a car, bicycle, lorry, or aircraft) can travel without refueling.
This aircraft's range is 15 000 kilometres.
Range
An area of open, often unfenced, grazing land.
Range
The extent or space taken in by anything excursive; compass or extent of excursion; reach; scope.
Range
(mathematics) The set of values (points) which a function can obtain.
Range
(statistics) The length of the smallest interval which contains all the data in a sample; the difference between the largest and smallest observations in the sample.
Range
The defensive area that a player can cover.
Jones has good range for a big man.
Range
(music) The scale of all the tones a voice or an instrument can produce.
Range
(ecology) The geographical area or zone where a species is normally naturally found.
Range
(programming) A sequential list of values specified by an iterator.
Calls the given function on each value in the input range.
Range
An aggregate of individuals in one rank or degree; an order; a class.
Range
(obsolete) The step of a ladder; a rung.
Range
A bolting sieve to sift meal.
Range
A wandering or roving; a going to and fro; an excursion; a ramble; an expedition.
Range
In the public land system, a row or line of townships lying between two succession meridian lines six miles apart.
Range
The variety of roles that an actor can play in a satisfactory way.
By playing in comedies as well as in dramas he has proved his range as an actor.
By playing in comedies as well as in dramas he has proved his acting range.
Range
(intransitive) To travel over (an area, etc); to roam, wander.
Range
(transitive) To rove over or through.
To range the fields
Range
To exercise the power of something over something else; to cause to submit to, over.
Range
(transitive) To bring (something) into a specified position or relationship (especially, of opposition) with something else.
Range
(intransitive) Of a variable, to be able to take any of the values in a specified range.
The variable x ranges over all real values from 0 to 10.
Range
(transitive) To classify.
To range plants and animals in genera and species
Range
(intransitive) To form a line or a row.
The front of a house ranges with the street.
Range
(intransitive) To be placed in order; to be ranked; to admit of arrangement or classification; to rank.
Range
(transitive) To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or lines, or in ranks; to dispose in the proper order.
Range
(transitive) To place among others in a line, row, or order, as in the ranks of an army; usually, reflexively and figuratively, to espouse a cause, to join a party, etc.
Range
(biology) To be native to, or live in, a certain district or region.
The peba ranges from Texas to Paraguay.
Range
To determine the range to a target.
Range
To sail or pass in a direction parallel to or near.
To range the coast
Range
(baseball) Of a player, to travel a significant distance for a defensive play.
Range
To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or lines, or in ranks; to dispose in the proper order; to rank; as, to range soldiers in line.
Maccabeus ranged his army by bands.
Range
To place (as a single individual) among others in a line, row, or order, as in the ranks of an army; - usually, reflexively and figuratively, (in the sense) to espouse a cause, to join a party, etc.
It would be absurd in me to range myself on the side of the Duke of Bedford and the corresponding society.
Range
To separate into parts; to sift.
Range
To dispose in a classified or in systematic order; to arrange regularly; as, to range plants and animals in genera and species.
Range
To rove over or through; as, to range the fields.
Teach him to range the ditch, and force the brake.
Range
To sail or pass in a direction parallel to or near; as, to range the coast.
Range
To be native to, or to live in; to frequent.
Range
To rove at large; to wander without restraint or direction; to roam.
Like a ranging spaniel that barks at every bird he sees.
Range
To have range; to change or differ within limits; to be capable of projecting, or to admit of being projected, especially as to horizontal distance; as, the temperature ranged through seventy degrees Fahrenheit; the gun ranges three miles; the shot ranged four miles.
Range
To be placed in order; to be ranked; to admit of arrangement or classification; to rank.
And range with humble livers in content.
Range
To have a certain direction; to correspond in direction; to be or keep in a corresponding line; to trend or run; - often followed by with; as, the front of a house ranges with the street; to range along the coast.
Which way the forests range.
Range
To be native to, or live in, a certain district or region; as, the peba ranges from Texas to Paraguay.
Range
A series of things in a line; a row; a rank; as, a range of buildings; a range of mountains.
Range
An aggregate of individuals in one rank or degree; an order; a class.
The next range of beings above him are the immaterial intelligences.
Range
The step of a ladder; a rung.
Range
A kitchen grate.
He was bid at his first coming to take off the range, and let down the cinders.
Range
An extended cooking apparatus of cast iron, set in brickwork, and affording conveniences for various ways of cooking; also, a kind of cooking stove.
Range
A bolting sieve to sift meal.
Range
A wandering or roving; a going to and fro; an excursion; a ramble; an expedition.
He may take a range all the world over.
Range
That which may be ranged over; place or room for excursion; especially, a region of country in which cattle or sheep may wander and pasture.
Range
Extent or space taken in by anything excursive; compass or extent of excursion; reach; scope; discursive power; as, the range of one's voice, or authority.
Far as creation's ample range extends.
The range and compass of Hammond's knowledge filled the whole circle of the arts.
A man has not enough range of thought.
Range
The region within which a plant or animal naturally lives.
Range
The horizontal distance to which a shot or other projectile is carried.
Range
In the public land system of the United States, a row or line of townships lying between two successive meridian lines six miles apart.
Range
See Range of cable, below.
Range
An area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
The range of a supersonic jet
The ambit of municipal legislation
Within the compass of this article
Within the scope of an investigation
Outside the reach of the law
In the political orbit of a world power
Range
The limits within which something can be effective;
Range of motion
He was beyond the reach of their fire
Range
A large tract of grassy open land on which livestock can graze;
They used to drive the cattle across the open range every spring
He dreamed of a home on the range
Range
A series of hills or mountains;
The valley was between two ranges of hills
The plains lay just beyond the mountain range
Range
A place for shooting (firing or driving) projectiles of various kinds;
The army maintains a missile range in the desert
Any good golf club will have a range where you can practice
Range
The limits of the values a function can take;
The range of this function is the interval from 0 to 1
Range
A variety of different things or activities;
He answered a range of questions
He was impressed by the range and diversity of the collection
Range
The limit of capability;
Within the compass of education
Range
A kitchen appliance used for cooking food;
Dinner was already on the stove
Range
Change or be different within limits;
Estimates for the losses in the earthquake range as high as $2 billion
Interest rates run from 5 to 10 percent
The instruments ranged from tuba to cymbals
My students range from very bright to dull
Range
Move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment;
The gypsies roamed the woods
Roving vagabonds
The wandering Jew
The cattle roam across the prairie
The laborers drift from one town to the next
They rolled from town to town
Range
Have a range; be capable of projecting over a certain distance, as of a gun;
This gun ranges over two miles
Range
Range or extend over; occupy a certain area;
The plants straddle the entire state
Range
Lay out in a line
Range
Feed as in a meadow or pasture;
The herd was grazing
Range
Let eat;
Range the animals in the prairie
Range
Assign a rank or rating to;
How would you rank these students?
The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide
Common Curiosities
How is range important in statistics?
It helps in understanding the variability or spread of numerical data.
What indicates a large range in data?
A large range indicates a significant spread between the smallest and largest data points.
What is the area formula for a triangle?
Area = 0.5 × base × height.
What is area used for in mathematics?
It's used to measure the size of two-dimensional surfaces in square units.
How do you calculate the area of a circle?
By using the formula πr², where r is the radius.
Can the area be negative?
No, area measurements are always non-negative.
What does a range of zero mean?
It means all values in the dataset are identical.
Is area only applicable to physical spaces?
While commonly used for physical spaces, it can also refer to abstract spaces in mathematics.
What are practical applications of calculating area?
In real estate for determining property size, in architecture and interior design for space planning.
Does range apply to all types of data?
Yes, range can be calculated for any numeric dataset.
Can range be used to determine outliers?
Yes, a wide range might suggest the presence of outliers.
How does the concept of range apply in technology?
It is used to define the operational boundaries of devices, such as wireless communication range.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
