MODULE NO.

5
MEASURES OF SKEWNESS

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the Module, the learner should be able to:
1. measure the extent to which a distribution is skewed
2. determine relationship between the median and mean wherein the skewness of
a distribution is based

MEASURE OF SKEWNESS

The measure of skewness refers to the shape of the distribution. It shows the tendency of
the distribution to “tail of “ either to the left or to the right. There are three shapes. They
are the normal curve, the positively skewed curve and the negatively skewed curve.

The normal curve is a symmetric distribution where the mean, median and the mode are
equal, the variable is considered to be symmetrical (or zero-skewed). It is bell-shaped and
asymptotic where the curve does not and will never intersect the horizontal line. In the
positively skewed curve or right skewed, the curve “tails off to the right” and a
distortion to the right that is caused by extremely large values. These extremely large
values pull the mean upward so that the mean is greater than the median. Here, the mean
is greater than the median, which in turn is greater than the mode. Positive skewness
arises when the mean is increased by some unusually high values.

On the other hand, the negatively skewed curve “tails off to the left”. There is a long tail
and distortion to the left that is caused by extremely low values. These extremely low
values pull the mean downward so that the mean is less than the median. The mode is
greater than the median, which in turn is greater than the mean. Negative skewness
occurs when the mean is reduced by some extremely low values.

Skewness is the degree of asymmetry or departure from symmetry exhibited by a

frequency distribution. A frequency distribution which is symmetrical has no skewness, i.
e. the skewness is zero. The presence of extreme observations in the distribution tends to
influence the mean more than the median or mode. Recall that if the observations contain
a few extremely large values, the mean is greater than the median or mode and the
distribution is said to be positively skewed or skewed to the right. Conversely, if
extremely low values are present in the distribution, the mean is pulled down and is
smaller than the median or mode. The distribution is then said to be negatively skewed or
skewed to the left.

Skewness can be obtained from Karl Pearson’s coefficient of skewness:

SK = (Mean – Mode) / Standard Deviation. [Pearson’s 1st coefficient of skewness]

or

SK = 3(Mean – Median) / Standard Deviation [ Pearson,s 2nd coefficient of skewness]

Another measure of skewness is based on the position of the quartiles:

SK = [(Q3 – Q2) – (Q2 – Q1)] / (Q3 – Q1)

= (Q3 – 2Q2 + Q1) / (Q3 – Q1)

10-90 percentile coefficient of skewness:

 SK = [(P90 – P50) – (P50 – P10)] / (P90 – P10)
= (P90 – 2P50 + P10) / (P90 – P10)

Skewness can also be measured by the use of the third moment:

n 3
E (xi – x’)
i=1
SK = -----------------
n

= m3

n 3
E (xi – x’)
i=1
or the relative skewness = -----------------
3
n(s)

3
= m3 / (s)

____ 3
= m3 / V (m2)

And if the data are presented in a frequency distribution, the skewness can be obtained
thus:

n 3
E f1(xi – x’)
i=1
SK = -----------------
n

or k k k k
(n )2 [Σ(fi)(xi)3] – 3n[Σ (fi)(xi)][Σ (fi)(xi)2] + 2[Σ(fi)(xi)]3
i=1 i=1 i=1 i=1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(n)3

Refer to Statistics An Introduction by Belarmino, Blankas and Liao pp. 71-72.

If the distribution is normal in shape, the coefficient of skewness is zero. If the

distribution is positively skewed, the coefficient of skewness is positive, and if the
distribution is negatively skewed, the coefficient of skewness is negative.

Mean > Median > Mode Positive or right skewness

SK is greater than zero (SK>0)
 Mean = Median = Mode Symmetry or zero skewness
SK is equal to zero (SK = 0)
Mean < Median < Mode Negative or left skewness
SK is less than zero (SK<0)

For further illustrations on skewness, refer to:

1. Statistics, An Introductory Analysis by Taro Yamana, pp. 55-56

2. Introductory Statistics by Pagoso & Montana, pp. 127-133

FOR COMPARISON OF FIGURES REFER TO STATISTIC MADE SIMPLE BY

DEAN YOUNG PAGE 50 OR STATISTICS FOR MANAGERS BY LEVINE,
STEPHAN KREHBIEL & BERENSON PAGE 124.

To determine the shape of the frequency distribution, we compute for the coefficient of
skewness, Sk:

Sk = 3(x’ – median) / s for both ungrouped and grouped data. s = standard

deviation.

If x’ = 75.71 and median = 76, s = 8.20,

Sk = 3(75.71 – 76) / 8.20

= - 0.11

Since Sk = -0.11 is less than zero, then the frequency distribution is considered negatively
skewed. Secondly, since the magnitude of Sk is small, the curve can be best described as
approaching a normal curve.

On the other hand, the grouped data will yield the following coefficient of skewness. If
mean = 42, median = 38.5 and s = 11.80.

Sk = 3(42 – 38.5) / 11.80

= 0.89

Since Sk = 0.89 is greater than zero, then the frequency distribution is considered
positively skewed. Secondly, since the magnitude of Sk is small, the curve can also be
described as approaching a normal curve.

Thus in analyzing the coefficient of skewness, two things should be taken into
consideration:
1. First, consider the value of Sk in relation to zero, that is whether the
coefficient of skewness is more than zero, or less than zero.
2. Second, consider the magnitude of the coefficient of Sk. The larger the value
of the coefficient of Sk whether positive or negative, the more sloping is the
shape of the frequency distribution curve either to the left or to the right,
respectively.

It is to be noted that there is no best curve when it comes to the coefficient of skewness.
Its value is largely appreciated when it is discussed in the context of the data presented
and study being undertaken.

SAMPLE PROBLEM IF DATA PRESENTED IN A FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION

2 3
Weekly No. of Class (fi)xi (fi)(xi) (fi)(xi)
wages workers marks
fi xi

P50-54 3 52 156 8112 421824

55-59 5 57 285 16245 925965
60-64 6 62 372 23064 1429968
65-69 8 67 536 35912 2406104
70-74 10 72 720 51840 3732480
75-79 13 77 1001 77077 5934929

80-84 5 82 410 33620 2756840

-------- --------- ----------- --------------
50 3480 245870 17608110

2 3
(50) (17608110) – (3)(50)(3480)(245870) + 2(3480)
SK = ----------------------------------------------------------------
3
(50)
= - 288

Since the coefficient of skewness is negative, then the distribution is negatively skewed.

SEATWORK

1. Identify
a. A curve where SK <0
b. A curve where the values of the mean, median, and the mode re equal.
c. A curve where SK= 0.
d. A curve where SK >0
e. Refers to the shape of the frequency distribution.
f. A curve where the modal values are higher than the mean and the median.
g. The curve where the mode is less than the median and the median is less than the
mean.
h. Preferred curve if the data is on employee turnover.
i. Preferred curve if the data in on company sales.

HOMEWORK

1. Given the following data:132, 144, 127, 152, 101 and 165, compute for coefficient of
skewness, mean, median and standard deviation. What is the shape of the curve?

ACTIVITY/ASSIGNMENT

Submission of homework during our next meeting.

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