To determine the number of students with handprint lengths in the range [tex]\(12 \text{ cm} \leq \text{length} \leq 13.9 \text{ cm}\)[/tex], follow these steps:
1. Identify the range: We need to count all lengths that fall between 12 cm and 13.9 cm, inclusive.
2. Review the data: The lengths of the handprints given are:
- 14.0 cm, 11.5 cm, 12.1 cm, 16.2 cm, 13.5 cm, 14.3 cm, 16.8 cm
- 12.4 cm, 13.7 cm, 12.0 cm, 14.7 cm, 15.2 cm, 11.9 cm, 15.6 cm
- 13.8 cm, 14.2 cm, 12.5 cm, 15.0 cm, 16.0 cm, 13.1 cm, 11.7 cm
3. Count the lengths within the specified range:
- From the first row: The lengths within 12 cm to 13.9 cm are 12.1 cm and 13.5 cm.
- From the second row: The lengths within 12 cm to 13.9 cm are 12.4 cm, 13.7 cm, and 12.0 cm.
- From the third row: The lengths within 12 cm to 13.9 cm are 13.8 cm, 12.5 cm, and 13.1 cm.
4. List of all lengths in the range: [tex]\( 12.1, 13.5, 12.4, 13.7, 12.0, 13.8, 12.5, 13.1 \)[/tex]
5. Count them: There are 8 lengths in total.
Therefore, the number of students whose handprint lengths are in the range [tex]\(12 \text{ cm} \leq \text{length} \leq 13.9 \text{ cm}\)[/tex] is [tex]\(\boxed{8}\)[/tex].
