Expressing number ranges
- 1 Number ranges with over or out of
- 2 Number ranges with large numbers
- 3 Number ranges with blood pressure readings
- 4 EKG lead ranges
- 5 Ranges in money values
- 6 Ranges values used for intervertebral disk spaces and vertebrae
When expressing a range of numbers (from x to x), use the word to (instead of a hyphen) if any of the following conditions are present:
1. The phrases from... to, from... through and between...and are used.
2. Decimals and/or commas appear in the numeric values.
3. Either or both value contains four or more digits.
4. Either or both value is a negative.
5. Either or both value contains a symbol.
The following examples are numbered to correspond with the conditions in the numbered list above.
1. The study group ages ranged from 18 to 24 years.
From 1982 through 1989, the recommendation was for diet control only.
Between 1 and 2 years, infants grow dramatically.
2. Subjects experienced a 1.2 to 2.5 difference in value.
3. The altitudes were 15,000 to 20,000 feet.
4. The normal range is -0.24 to 3.0.
5. Daily intake was 3% to 5% of the requirement.
For all other number ranges, use a hyphen.
There were 30-40 children in the class.
Systolic pressures were in the 150-180 range.
BP was 110-120 over 75-80.
When the range consists of two large numbers, keep clarity in mind and do not use a shortened version.
D: The target population was 250 to 300 thousand.
T: The target population was 250,000-300,000.
NOT
T: The target population was 250-300,000.
Do not use a colon to express the limits of the range. Colons are used in ratios, not ranges.
The number in the group ranged from 50-69.
NOT
The number in the group ranged from 50:69.
Wiki