def in_range(value, ranges):
    """
    checks if a float value `value` is in any of the given `ranges`, which are
    assumed to be a list of tuples (or a single tuple) of start end end points
    (floats).
    Returns `True` or `False`.
    """

    # is there anythin to check?
    if not ranges or not len(ranges):
        return False

    if not isinstance(ranges[0], list):
        ranges = [ranges]

    for r in ranges:
        if value >= r[0] and value <= r[1]:
            return True

    return False