The coefficient lies always in range  values equal to 0 or 1), value 1 indicates ideal equal-spreading of the spots, for example (0.25,0.5,0.75) for three solutes, or (0.2,0.4,0.6,0.8) for four solutes.
This coefficient was proposed as an alternative to earlier approaches, such as delta-Rf, delta-Rf product or MRF (Multispot Response Function). Besides its stable range, the advantage is a stable distribution as a random variable, regardless of compounds investigated.
In contrast to the similar concept called Retention uniformity, R is sensitive to R values close to 0 or 1, or close to themselves. If two values are not separated, it is equal to 0. For example, the R values (0,0.2,0.2,0.3) (two compounds not separated at 0.2 and one at the start ) result in R equal to 0, but R equal to 0.3609. When some distance from 0 and spots occurs, the value is larger, for example R values (0.1,0.2,0.25,0.3) give R = 0.4835, R = 0.4066.