Two data sets are being compared. One data set is skewed left, and the minimum value is an outlier. Another data set is symmetric about its peak about the center of the distribution with no outliers. Explain whether the mean and standard deviation should be used to compare the measures of center and measures of spread.(1 point)
Responses
The mean and the standard deviation should be used because one of the distributions is symmetric with no outliers.
The mean and standard deviation should not be used because both of the distributions are skewed left, and both data sets have at least one outlier.
The mean and standard deviation should not be used because one of the distributions is skewed left and has an outlier.
The mean and the standard deviation should be used because the mean and the standard deviation are not affected by outliers.
3 answers
The mean and the standard deviation should not be used because one of the distributions is skewed left and has an outlier. Outliers can greatly affect the mean and standard deviation, making them not good measures of center and spread when dealing with skewed distributions and outliers. In this case, using the median and interquartile range or other robust measures would be more appropriate for comparing the two data sets.
What is the answer the first, second, third, or fourth answer
The answer is: the third answer - The mean and standard deviation should not be used because one of the distributions is skewed left and has an outlier.