What is the purpose of providing ranges when communicating risk?

• A. They confuse audiences and should be avoided.
• B. They hide the most probable value.
• C. They help convey uncertainty and provide context about potential variability.
• D. They replace the need for base rates.

Answer: (C)

Providing ranges in risk communication helps acknowledge that estimates come with uncertainty and that outcomes can vary across different circumstances. A range shows what could happen—from a lower bound to an upper bound—so audiences see the spread of possible results and understand the level of confidence in the estimate. This context lets people plan better, compare options more realistically, and avoid acting on a false sense of precision. It’s not about confusing readers, nor about hiding the most probable value; many presentations still include a central estimate alongside the range to indicate likely outcomes. It also doesn’t replace base rates, which describe how often events occur and should be considered together with any range to inform sound decisions.