{"id":36,"date":"2021-01-12T22:19:25","date_gmt":"2021-01-12T22:19:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textbooks.jaykesler.net\/introstats\/chapter\/skewness-and-the-mean-median-and-mode\/"},"modified":"2023-06-21T16:48:21","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T16:48:21","slug":"skewness-and-the-mean-median-and-mode","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/textbooks.jaykesler.net\/introstats\/chapter\/skewness-and-the-mean-median-and-mode\/","title":{"rendered":"Skewness and the Mean, Median, and Mode"},"content":{"raw":"\r\n[latexpage]\r\n<\/span>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Consider the following data set.\r\n<\/span>4; 5; 6; 6; 6; 7; 7; 7; 7; 7; 7; 8; 8; 8; 9; 10<\/p>\r\n

This data set can be represented by following histogram. Each interval has width one, and each value is located in the middle of an interval.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"This<\/span><\/figure>\r\n
Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.16<\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

The histogram displays a\u00a0symmetrical<\/strong>\u00a0distribution of data. A distribution is symmetrical if a vertical line can be drawn at some point in the histogram such that the shape to the left and the right of the vertical line are mirror images of each other. The mean, the median, and the mode are each seven for these data.\u00a0In a perfectly symmetrical distribution, the mean and the median are the same.<\/strong>\u00a0This example has one mode (unimodal), and the mode is the same as the mean and median. In a symmetrical distribution that has two modes (bimodal), the two modes would be different from the mean and median.<\/p>\r\n

The histogram for the data:\u00a04;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>5;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>6;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>6;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>6;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>8 (shown in\u00a0Figure 2.17<\/a>)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0is not symmetrical. The right-hand side seems \"chopped off\" compared to the left side. A distribution of this type is called\u00a0skewed to the left<\/strong>\u00a0because it is pulled out to the left.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"This<\/span><\/span><\/figure>\r\n
Figure <\/span>2.17<\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

The mean is 6.3, the median is 6.5, and the mode is seven.\u00a0Notice that the mean is less than the median, and they are both less than the mode.<\/strong>\u00a0The mean and the median both reflect the skewing, but the mean reflects it more so.<\/p>\r\n

The histogram for the data:\u00a06;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>8;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>8;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>8;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>9;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>10\u00a0Figure 2.18<\/a><\/span><\/span>, is also not symmetrical. It is\u00a0skewed to the right<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

\r\n
\"This<\/span><\/figure>\r\n
Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.18<\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

The mean is 7.7, the median is 7.5, and the mode is seven. Of the three statistics,\u00a0the mean is the largest, while the mode is the smallest<\/strong>. Again, the mean reflects the skewing the most.<\/p>\r\n

To summarize, generally if the distribution of data is skewed to the left, the mean is less than the median, which is often less than the mode. If the distribution of data is skewed to the right, the mode is often less than the median, which is less than the mean.<\/p>\r\n

Skewness and symmetry become important when we discuss probability distributions in later chapters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

EXAMPLE\u00a0<\/span>2.31<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/header>
\r\n
<\/header>
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Statistics are used to compare and sometimes identify authors. The following lists shows a simple random sample that compares the letter counts for three authors.<\/p>\r\n

Terry: 7; 9; 3; 3; 3; 4; 1; 3; 2; 2<\/p>\r\n

Davis: 3; 3; 3; 4; 1; 4; 3; 2; 3; 1<\/p>\r\n

Maris: 2; 3; 4; 4; 4; 6; 6; 6; 8; 3<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    \r\n \t
  1. Make a dot plot for the three authors and compare the shapes.<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Calculate the mean for each.<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Calculate the median for each.<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. Describe any pattern you notice between the shape and the measures of center.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Solution\u00a0<\/span>2.31<\/span><\/h4>\r\n
    \r\n
      \r\n \t
    1. \r\n
      \r\n
      \"This<\/span><\/figure>\r\n
      Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.19<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Terry\u2019s distribution has a right (positive) skew.<\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
      \r\n
      \"This<\/span><\/figure>\r\n
      Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.20<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Davis\u2019 distribution has a left (negative) skew<\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
      \r\n
      \"This<\/span><\/figure>\r\n
      Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.21<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Maris\u2019 distribution is symmetrically shaped.<\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n \t
    2. Terry\u2019s mean is 3.7, Davis\u2019 mean is 2.7, Maris\u2019 mean is 4.6.<\/li>\r\n \t
    3. Terry\u2019s median is three, Davis\u2019 median is three. Maris\u2019 median is four.<\/li>\r\n \t
    4. It appears that the median is always closest to the high point (the mode), while the mean tends to be farther out on the tail. In a symmetrical distribution, the mean and the median are both centrally located close to the high point of the distribution.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/div>\r\n
      \r\n

      TRY IT\u00a0<\/span>2.31<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/header>
      \r\n
      <\/header>
      \r\n
      \r\n
      \r\n

      Discuss the mean, median, and mode for each of the following problems. Is there a pattern between the shape and measure of the center?<\/p>\r\n

      a.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

      \r\n
      \"This<\/span><\/figure>\r\n
      Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.22<\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

      b.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

      \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
      The Ages Former U.S Presidents Died<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
      4<\/td>\r\n6 9<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      5<\/td>\r\n3 6 7 7 7 8<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      6<\/td>\r\n0 0 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 7 8<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      7<\/td>\r\n0 1 1 2 3 4 7 8 8 9<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      8<\/td>\r\n0 1 3 5 8<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      9<\/td>\r\n0 0 3 3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      Key: 8|0 means 80.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n
      Table<\/span>2.28<\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

      c.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

      \r\n
      \"This<\/span><\/figure>\r\n
      Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.23<\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
      <\/div>","rendered":"


      \n[latexpage]
      \n<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
      \n
      \n

      Consider the following data set.
      \n<\/span>4; 5; 6; 6; 6; 7; 7; 7; 7; 7; 7; 8; 8; 8; 9; 10<\/p>\n

      This data set can be represented by following histogram. Each interval has width one, and each value is located in the middle of an interval.<\/p>\n

      \n
      \"This<\/span><\/figure>\n
      Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.16<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      The histogram displays a\u00a0symmetrical<\/strong>\u00a0distribution of data. A distribution is symmetrical if a vertical line can be drawn at some point in the histogram such that the shape to the left and the right of the vertical line are mirror images of each other. The mean, the median, and the mode are each seven for these data.\u00a0In a perfectly symmetrical distribution, the mean and the median are the same.<\/strong>\u00a0This example has one mode (unimodal), and the mode is the same as the mean and median. In a symmetrical distribution that has two modes (bimodal), the two modes would be different from the mean and median.<\/p>\n

      The histogram for the data:\u00a04;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>5;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>6;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>6;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>6;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>8 (shown in\u00a0Figure 2.17<\/a>)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0is not symmetrical. The right-hand side seems “chopped off” compared to the left side. A distribution of this type is called\u00a0skewed to the left<\/strong>\u00a0because it is pulled out to the left.<\/p>\n

      \n
      \"This<\/span><\/span><\/figure>\n
      Figure <\/span>2.17<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      The mean is 6.3, the median is 6.5, and the mode is seven.\u00a0Notice that the mean is less than the median, and they are both less than the mode.<\/strong>\u00a0The mean and the median both reflect the skewing, but the mean reflects it more so.<\/p>\n

      The histogram for the data:\u00a06;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>7;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>8;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>8;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>8;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>9;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>10\u00a0Figure 2.18<\/a><\/span><\/span>, is also not symmetrical. It is\u00a0skewed to the right<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \n
      \"This<\/span><\/figure>\n
      Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.18<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      The mean is 7.7, the median is 7.5, and the mode is seven. Of the three statistics,\u00a0the mean is the largest, while the mode is the smallest<\/strong>. Again, the mean reflects the skewing the most.<\/p>\n

      To summarize, generally if the distribution of data is skewed to the left, the mean is less than the median, which is often less than the mode. If the distribution of data is skewed to the right, the mode is often less than the median, which is less than the mean.<\/p>\n

      Skewness and symmetry become important when we discuss probability distributions in later chapters.<\/p>\n

      \n
      \n

      EXAMPLE\u00a0<\/span>2.31<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/header>\n
      \n
      \n
      <\/header>\n
      \n
      \n
      \n

      Statistics are used to compare and sometimes identify authors. The following lists shows a simple random sample that compares the letter counts for three authors.<\/p>\n

      Terry: 7; 9; 3; 3; 3; 4; 1; 3; 2; 2<\/p>\n

      Davis: 3; 3; 3; 4; 1; 4; 3; 2; 3; 1<\/p>\n

      Maris: 2; 3; 4; 4; 4; 6; 6; 6; 8; 3<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Make a dot plot for the three authors and compare the shapes.<\/li>\n
      2. Calculate the mean for each.<\/li>\n
      3. Calculate the median for each.<\/li>\n
      4. Describe any pattern you notice between the shape and the measures of center.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Solution\u00a0<\/span>2.31<\/span><\/h4>\n
        \n
          \n
        1. \n
          \n
          \"This<\/span><\/figure>\n
          Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.19<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Terry\u2019s distribution has a right (positive) skew.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
          \n
          \"This<\/span><\/figure>\n
          Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.20<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Davis\u2019 distribution has a left (negative) skew<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
          \n
          \"This<\/span><\/figure>\n
          Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.21<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Maris\u2019 distribution is symmetrically shaped.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
        2. Terry\u2019s mean is 3.7, Davis\u2019 mean is 2.7, Maris\u2019 mean is 4.6.<\/li>\n
        3. Terry\u2019s median is three, Davis\u2019 median is three. Maris\u2019 median is four.<\/li>\n
        4. It appears that the median is always closest to the high point (the mode), while the mean tends to be farther out on the tail. In a symmetrical distribution, the mean and the median are both centrally located close to the high point of the distribution.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n
          \n
          \n

          TRY IT\u00a0<\/span>2.31<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/header>\n
          \n
          \n
          <\/header>\n
          \n
          \n
          \n

          Discuss the mean, median, and mode for each of the following problems. Is there a pattern between the shape and measure of the center?<\/p>\n

          a.<\/p>\n

          \n
          \"This<\/span><\/figure>\n
          Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.22<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

          b.<\/p>\n

          \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
          The Ages Former U.S Presidents Died<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
          4<\/td>\n6 9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          5<\/td>\n3 6 7 7 7 8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          6<\/td>\n0 0 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 7 8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          7<\/td>\n0 1 1 2 3 4 7 8 8 9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          8<\/td>\n0 1 3 5 8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          9<\/td>\n0 0 3 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          Key: 8|0 means 80.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
          Table<\/span>2.28<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

          c.<\/p>\n

          \n
          \"This<\/span><\/figure>\n
          Figure\u00a0<\/span>2.23<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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