Which of the following describes the type of tolerance interval that encompasses both sides of a specified value?

The chosen answer accurately identifies the correct type of tolerance interval. A two-sided tolerance interval is designed to include values both below and above a specified central point, thereby encompassing a range of acceptable values around that point. This is particularly useful in quality management, where it’s important to ensure that outcomes or measurements are maintained within a target range that reflects desired specifications on both sides.

In contrast, one-sided tolerance intervals, whether for data less than or greater than a specified value, focus solely on one direction—either only including values that fall below or only those that exceed the specified threshold. Therefore, they do not address the full spectrum of variation around the target value, making them less suitable when it’s necessary to account for deviations on both ends of the spectrum.

This clear distinction reinforces why the two-sided option is the appropriate choice for representing scenarios where both sides of a specified value need to be considered in tolerance assessments.