Question

Given the box plot, will the mean or the median provide a better description of the center?

(i dont want just the flat out answer please explain how you would know, so that i know for future reference.)


The mean, because the data distribution is symmetrical
The median, because the data distribution is symmetrical
The mean, because the data distribution is skewed to the right

The median, because the data distribution is skewed to the right

Answer 1

It would be taking the median, since the data distribution is skewed to the right.
The reason for this is that half of the numbers occupy a small space of between 7 and 8. Therefore, the extreme values on the right can give you a misrepresentation of the data if you use the mean, which is why is would be more accurate to use the median instead of the mean.