SAT Math: Describe distribution shape: symmetric, skewed, bimodal
17+ practice questions in Praczo
The concept, explained
- 1
Symmetric distributions look mirrored around the center; mean ≈ median. Bell curves are a classic example.
- 2
Right-skewed (positively skewed) distributions have a long tail to the right. Mean > median because the tail pulls the average up.
- 3
Left-skewed (negatively skewed) distributions have a long tail to the left. Mean < median.
- 4
Bimodal distributions have two distinct peaks — often signaling two different subgroups mixed together.
- ✗ Confusing left-skew and right-skew. The direction refers to the tail, not the peak.
- ✗ Assuming a symmetric distribution means mean = median exactly. In real data, they're only approximately equal.
SAT-style practice
A histogram shows household incomes in a city: a tall bar at (30,000–)50,000, progressively shorter bars extending to $300,000+. Which best describes this distribution?
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