In a negatively skewed distribution, where is the tail and where is the bulk of data?

In a negatively skewed distribution, where is the tail and where is the bulk of data?

• A. Bulk of values are on the low end with a tail to the right
• B. Uniform distribution
• C. Bulk of values are on the high end with a tail to the left
• D. Symmetrical distribution

Answer: (C)

Negatively skewed distributions pull the tail toward the lower values, while the bulk of observations cluster at higher values. In this shape, most data sit on the high end, and a few unusually low values extend the left tail. That’s why the description with most values high and a tail to the left is the best fit. For intuition, imagine test scores where most students score near the top, but a few score very low, pulling the left tail longer. The other shapes describe different patterns: a uniform distribution has no single bulk or tail pattern, and a symmetrical distribution has tails that are equal on both sides.

Negatively skewed distributions pull the tail toward the lower values, while the bulk of observations cluster at higher values. In this shape, most data sit on the high end, and a few unusually low values extend the left tail. That’s why the description with most values high and a tail to the left is the best fit. For intuition, imagine test scores where most students score near the top, but a few score very low, pulling the left tail longer. The other shapes describe different patterns: a uniform distribution has no single bulk or tail pattern, and a symmetrical distribution has tails that are equal on both sides.