Final answer:
The range of the wood piece lengths, calculated by subtracting the smallest measurement (2 1/2 inches) from the largest one (12 3/4 inches), is 10 1/4 inches. Therefore, the answer is option D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has collected measurements in inches for pieces of wood and needs to find the range of these lengths. The range is calculated by subtracting the smallest measurement from the largest measurement. First, let's list these measurements in order from smallest to largest: 2 1/2, 3 1/2, 4 1/2, 5 1/4, 6, 6 9 1/2, 8, 10 1/4, 12, and 12 3/4 inches.
The smallest length is 2 1/2 inches and the largest length is 12 3/4 inches. To find the range, we subtract the smallest length from the largest length:12 3/4 inches (largest) - 2 1/2 inches (smallest) = 10 1/4 inches (range) The correct range of the lengths is 10 1/4 inches. Therefore, the answer is option D. 10 1/4 in.