Final answer:
A graphical depiction of a continuous distribution with a longer left tail than the right tail is indicative of a negative skew. The distribution is best described as having:" is a) Negative skew.
Step-by-step explanation:
When examining a continuous distribution, the direction of skewness is determined by the elongation of the distribution's tail. In the scenario presented, where the left tail of the distribution is longer than the right tail, this indicates a negative skew. Skewness refers to the asymmetry in the shape of a distribution's probability density function.
A negatively skewed distribution, also known as left-skewed, means that the bulk of the data values (including the mode and median) are concentrated on the right side of the histogram, with the tail extending to the left. This contrasts with a positively skewed distribution which has a longer right tail. Skewness comes into play when analyzing the tendency of the data points to cluster around certain measures of central tendency (mean, median, and mode).
The correct option for the question "A graphical depiction of a continuous distribution shows the left tail to be longer than the right tail. The distribution is best described as having:" is a) Negative skew.