Firefighter Practice Exam

What does the term "skewed" most nearly mean in the context of statistics?

1. Complicated

2. Simplified

3. Too focused

4. Distorted

The correct answer is: Distorted

In statistics, the term "skewed" refers to a distribution that is asymmetrical or distorted in a specific direction. When data is skewed, it means that the values are not evenly distributed around the mean; instead, they lean towards one side. For example, a right-skewed distribution has a long tail on the right side, indicating that there are a number of higher values dragging the mean upward. Conversely, a left-skewed distribution has a long tail on the left side, indicating that there are lower values affecting the mean downward. Understanding skewness is crucial for interpreting data accurately, as it can significantly impact statistical analyses and the interpretation of results. It highlights the importance of not just looking at the averages but also considering the shape of the data's distribution, which can reveal underlying trends and outliers. In contrast to other options, which suggest different characteristics of data (like being complicated or simplified), "distorted" captures the essence of "skewed" by emphasizing that the distribution does not represent the data in a straightforward manner.