AI-GEOSTATS: Re: Skewed Distributions

[Isobel Clark]

Digby

 

If your distribution has a positive skewness as calculated (bulks towards zero with long tail into high value) the proportion below the mean will be significantly higher than 50%. If negatively skewed -- e.g. Calcium in limestone, iron in iron ore -- more than 50% will be above the mean.

 

The arithmetic mean is the equivalent of the centre of gravity -- one sample way out on the arm outweighs loads of samples close to the centre.

 

Welcome all to the new list

Isobel

Digby Millikan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Is it correct that the probability of being above or below the mean of a skewed

distribution is not necessarily 0.5?