The recommended operating voltage range for the LM3914N-1/NOPB is 3V to 25V.
The resistor values can be calculated using the formula: R = (Vcc - Vf) / If, where Vcc is the supply voltage, Vf is the forward voltage drop of the LED, and If is the desired LED current.
The REF OUT pin provides a buffered output of the internal voltage reference, which can be used as a reference voltage for other circuits. It can be used to drive an external voltage-controlled oscillator or as a reference for an analog-to-digital converter.
The brightness of the LEDs can be adjusted by changing the value of the current limiting resistors or by using a potentiometer to vary the voltage at the REF IN pin.
While the LM3914N-1/NOPB is designed to drive LEDs, it can be used with other types of displays, such as LCDs or bargraph displays, with additional circuitry and programming.