What is the SKEW Function?
The SKEW function in Google Sheets is a statistical tool used to measure the asymmetry of a distribution of values. It helps to determine whether the data is skewed to the left (negative skew) or to the right (positive skew). A skewness value of zero indicates a perfectly symmetrical distribution.
In simpler terms, SKEW allows you to understand the shape of your data distribution and how much it deviates from a normal distribution.
A Practical Example
Imagine you are analyzing the test scores of a group of students:
Test Scores Table:
| StudentID | Score |
|---|---|
| 1 | 85 |
| 2 | 90 |
| 3 | 78 |
| 4 | 92 |
| 5 | 88 |
| 6 | 95 |
| 7 | 70 |
You want to find out if the distribution of these test scores is skewed.
SKEW Formula
To achieve this, you would use the SKEW function as follows:
EXCEL
In this formula:
B2:B8is the range containing the test scores.
Result of the Formula
When you apply the SKEW formula to the Test Scores Table, the output will give you a single value that indicates the skewness of the distribution.
For example, if the result is 0.45, it suggests a slight positive skew, indicating that there are more students with lower scores compared to higher scores.
Why Use SKEW?
SKEW is beneficial because it provides insights into the distribution of your data. Understanding skewness can help in making informed decisions based on the data's characteristics. For instance, if the scores are positively skewed, it may indicate that a majority of students performed below average, which could prompt further investigation into teaching methods or test difficulty.
Key Takeaways:
- SKEW: A statistical function that measures the asymmetry of a distribution.
- Positive Skew: Indicates a longer tail on the right side of the distribution.
- Negative Skew: Indicates a longer tail on the left side of the distribution.
- Common Use Cases: Useful in analyzing test scores, financial data, and any dataset where understanding distribution shape is important.
SKEW is an essential function for anyone working with data analysis in Google Sheets, providing valuable insights into the nature of your data distribution.
Happy analyzing!