Last updated on June 4th, 2025
A right skewed histogram or positively skewed distribution is a type of histogram. Here, most of the data points are concentrated towards the left side. The tail of the right skewed histogram extends to the right. The right skewed histogram has a definite relationship with mean, median, and mode which can be written as mean > median > mode.
A right skewed histogram, or also known as a positively skewed histogram, is a type of data distribution where most of the data values are concentrated on the left side.
The tail extends to the right. This shows us that there are a few higher values that stretch out the distribution. In such a distribution, the mean is greater than the median due to influence of higher values.
Skewness refers to the asymmetry in the given data distribution. A symmetric distribution means that left and right sides mirror one another. Understanding the skewness of a distribution helps improve data interpretation and ensures accurate analysis.
In a left skewed distribution, the relationship between mean, median, and mode is mode > median > mean.
In a right skewed distribution, the relationship of mean, median, and mode is mean > median > mode. In symmetrical distributions, the relationship of mean, median, and mode is mean = median = mode.
It is important to identify right skewed histogram because it helps in understanding data distribution among other prominent things. To identify a right skewed histogram, we use the following methods:
Calculate the Skewness: To find the skewness of a histogram, apply the formula:
Skewness = (mean - median) / standard deviation.
To identify the right skewed histogram, we must check if the skewness is positive.
Visual Inspection: To identify the right skewed histogram, look for a longer tail on the right side than on the left side.
To interpret the histogram of right skewed data, you should have knowledge of the distribution as well as the impact of the skewness on the right side. These are the following points that are to be kept in mind when interpreting a right skewed histogram:
Data points always lies on the left side of the graph
The tail extends to the right side, stretching out.
If the dataset has very high values, the tail of the distribution is pulled toward the right side of the curve.
Data analysis is very dependent on the right skewed histogram, since this can render the data distribution with extreme values, and the shape of the data.
There are many differences between the right skewed and left skewed histogram. Some of them are mentioned in the table below:
Right Skewed Histogram |
Left Skewed Histogram |
The direction of the tail is longer on the right side |
The direction of the tail is longer on the left side |
The peak of the graph is on the left |
The peak of the graph lies on the right side |
The relationship of mean, median, and mode is: mean > median > mode |
The relationship of mean, median and mode is: mean < median < mode |
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Let us take the following example of a right skewed histogram to calculate the mean, median, and mode from the given dataset:
3, 3, 3, 6, 3, 9, 3, 3, 4, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 6, 7
Solution:
Mean = 3 + 3 + 3 + 6 + 3 + 9 + 3 + 3 + 4 + 8 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 6 + 7 = 80
= 80/16 = 5.
Median: Arrange the data in ascending order:
3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9.
Since there are 16 values, the 8th and 9th values are the middle values; so the average is taken 4+5/2 = 9/2 = 4.5.
Mode: the mode is the most frequently occurring value, in the data set given above the mode is 3. Because 3 is the most frequently occurring value.
Verification: In a right-skewed histogram, the relationship between the mean, median, and mode follows this pattern: Mean > Median > Mode. In the above example, the mean = 5, median = 4.5 and mode = 3. Hence, this proves that the above data is a right skewed histogram.
Right skewed histograms have a lot of real world applications, some of them are given here:
Income and Wealth Distribution: We use right skewed histograms in income and wealth distribution to analyze the wealth gaps, it is also used to design progressive tax systems and to assess the impact of economic policies.
Sales and Revenue Data: We use right skewed histograms in sales and revenue data to identify the best-selling products, it is also used to plan the inventory and marketing strategies, and to forecast revenue growth.
Waiting Times and Service Durations: We use right skewed histograms in waiting times and service durations to optimize staffing schedules, to reduce customer wait times, and to improve service efficiency.
When working on a right skewed histogram, students tend to make mistakes. Here, are some common mistakes and their solutions:
Given the right-skewed shape of this yearly income histogram, which measure of central tendency (mean, median, or mode) would you use to best represent the “typical” income in this distribution, and why?
Step 1: The scale for x-axis is yearly income and y-axis is income
Step 2: Calculate the frequency distribution
Step 3: Plot the Graph
Given that this histogram of scores is heavily skewed to the right, how might you address the extreme high values in your data analysis?
Step 1: The scale for x-axis is scored and y-axis is frequency
Step 2: Calculate the frequency distribution
Step 3: Plot the Graph
For this right-skewed histogram of broken toys, would you use mean or median to represent the typical number of broken toys per class? Explain your choice.
Step 1: The scale for x-axis is broken toys and y-axis is frequency of cases
Step 2: Calculate the frequency distribution
Step 3: Plot the Graph
Calculate the mean, median, and mode for the dataset: 55, 58, 56, 55, 56, 57, 55, 58, 55, 57, 55, 57, 56, 59, 56
Step 1: The x-axis is height of plants measured in feet and y-axis is the number of trees
Step 2: Calculate the frequency distribution
Step 3: Plot the graph
Draw a right skewed histogram to represent the following data: 9, 7, 8, 7, 6, 7, 8, 10, 8, 7, 6, 8, 8, 7, 10, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 6, 7
Step 1: draw the scale for x-axis and y-axis
Step 2: Calculate the frequency distribution
Step 3: Plot the Graph
Jaipreet Kour Wazir is a data wizard with over 5 years of expertise in simplifying complex data concepts. From crunching numbers to crafting insightful visualizations, she turns raw data into compelling stories. Her journey from analytics to education ref
: She compares datasets to puzzle games—the more you play with them, the clearer the picture becomes!