span / range
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span
The distance between two outer points of an object, especially the wings of birds or airplanes, or bridges.
Der Albatros hat eine beeindruckende Spannweite von über drei Metern.
The albatross has an impressive wingspan of over three meters.
range
The area or scope that something covers; the variety of possibilities, opinions, or characteristics.
Die Spannweite der Gehälter in diesem Unternehmen ist sehr groß.
The range of salaries in this company is very large.
range
In statistics, the difference between the largest and the smallest value in a data series.
Um die Spannweite zu berechnen, subtrahiert man den Minimalwert vom Maximalwert.
To calculate the range, you subtract the minimum value from the maximum value.
The word is made up of 'spannen' (to span) and 'Weite' (width, expanse). So it literally describes the expanse that something spans.
Die Spannweite der alten Steinbrücke ist beeindruckend.
The span of the old stone bridge is impressive.
In the literal sense, the span is often given with the preposition 'von' (of) and a unit of measurement. For example, you say that something 'hat eine Spannweite von' (has a span of) X meters.
Dieses Flugzeugmodell hat eine Spannweite von fast 80 Metern.
This airplane model has a wingspan of almost 80 meters.
In the figurative sense, 'Spannweite' (range) describes the variety within a group of things. Typical adjectives are 'groß' (large), 'breit' (broad), or 'enorm' (enormous).
Die thematische Spannweite der Konferenz war enorm.
The thematic range of the conference was enormous.
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that 'Spannweite' (range) refers to abstract nouns such as 'Themen' (topics), 'Möglichkeiten' (possibilities), 'Preise' (prices), or 'Meinungen' (opinions), not to physical objects.
Die Spannweite der angebotenen Kurse reicht von Töpfern bis Programmieren.
The range of courses offered extends from pottery to programming.
The meaning in the field of statistics is purely technical language. It is used only in mathematical or scientific contexts.
In der deskriptiven Statistik ist die Spannweite ein einfaches Streuungsmaß.
In descriptive statistics, the range is a simple measure of dispersion.
range / reach
Reichweite indicates how far a person can reach with their arm or hand. Spannweite, by contrast, refers to the distance between the two outermost points, which, in the case of outstretched arms, is the distance between the fingertips.
Mit seitlich ausgestreckten Armen beträgt ihre Spannweite 1,70 Meter.
With her arms stretched out to the sides, her wingspan is 1.70 meters.
Mit ausgestrecktem Arm liegt das Glas gerade noch in ihrer Reichweite.
With her arm outstretched, the glass is just within her reach.
