Online Encyclopedia
Range
- The range of a vehicle is the maximum distance it can cover without needing to be refueled or recharged.
- The range of a gun or missile is the maximum distance it can be fired over and still hit its target. The actual distance that the missile can travel will sometimes be greater than its range, but in these cases accuracy is not guaranteed if the target is out of range. See ballistic missile for four types defined in terms of range.
- In mathematics there are several meanings:
- The range of a function is the set of all output values of the function. This is distinct from the codomain of the function, which is the set of all possible output values of the function.
- The numerical range , or field of value, of a real or complex matrix A is the set: {x*Ax : x is a unit vector}.
- In telecommunications range is the maximum distance by which communication is still possible, i.e. any degradation of signal quality is still at an acceptable level. Some short-range standards are bluetooth and IrDA.
- In computer programming it describes the maximum and minimum values that can be stored in a variable, or the maximum number of values that can be stored in an array. For example the range of an integer variable might be any whole number from -32,768 to +32,767.
- In biology the range of an organism is the geographical area within which that species, subspecies etc. can be found. Sometimes a distinction is made between natural range and the places to which the species has been introduced by more or less deliberate human agency.
- In American English, a range or stove is a type of major appliance, consisting of several (usually four) gas burners or electric heating elements. It is typically seen on top of an oven. In British English this is called a hob or cooker, and the word range is reserved for an exceptionally large oven and hob combination (typically with six or more heating elements and more than one oven).
- In agriculture, a range is arid land where cattle are permitted to roam and feed on whatever vegetation might be present.
- In geography it may refer to a mountain range
- In music, the range of a musical instrument is the distance from the lowest to the highest pitch it can play whilst the range of a musical part is the distance between its lowest and highest note. The duration range is the difference between the shortest and longest rhythm used. Dynamic range is the difference between the quietest and loudest volume of an instrument, part or piece of music. See also vocal range.
Last updated: 02-08-2005 12:25:37
Last updated: 02-27-2005 04:33:14