What is the specific range for private IP addresses that includes 172.x.x.x?

The range for private IP addresses that includes 172.x.x.x is defined specifically as 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255. This range is part of the private IP address space outlined in RFC 1918, which specifies blocks of IP addresses that can be used privately within networks. Private IP addresses are crucial for internal network configurations because they are not routable on the public internet, allowing organizations to conserve their public IP addresses by using non-routable addresses internally.

The selection of the correct range reflects an understanding of network design and IP allocation, which are key components in building and maintaining scalable networks. In contrast, the other choices provided refer to ranges that either extend beyond the defined private range or do not align with the specified formats recognized in the networking standards. This distinction is essential for properly configuring and managing IP address assignments within a given network.