Measures of Dispersion, 19 Skewness, moments and Kurtosis

Measures of Dispersion Variance: V = 𝛔2

Formulae of Measures of Dispersion
On dispersion by the methods of limits 𝟏
1. Range = L – S Standard deviation of 1st ‘N’ natural numbers: σ = √ (𝑵𝟐 − 𝟏)
𝟏𝟐
𝐋−𝐒 𝛔
2. Co-efficient of Range =
𝐋+𝐒 Coefficient of Standard Deviation: Coeff. σ =
3. Inter-quartile Range = 𝐐𝟑 − 𝐐𝟏 𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒏
𝛔
4. Coefficient of Inter-quartile Range =
𝐐𝟑 − 𝐐𝟏 Coefficient of Variance: Coeff. C.V. = × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐐𝟑 + 𝐐𝟏 𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒏
𝐐𝟑 − 𝐐𝟏 𝟐 𝟒
5. Quartile deviation: Q.D. = Range = 6 σ; Q.D = × σ ; and M.D. = × σ
𝟐 𝟑 𝟓
𝐐𝟑 − 𝐐𝟏
6. Co-efficient of Q.D =
𝐐𝟑 + 𝐐𝟏 Meaning:
On dispersion by the method of computation: The word dispersion means deviation or difference. In statistics dispersion refers to
1. Mean deviation: deviation of the values of a variable from their central value. Measures of dispersion indicate
the extent to which individual items vary from their averages i.e., Mean, Median or Mode. It
Individual series Discrete and Continuous series
shows the spread of items of a series from their central value.
∑|𝐃| ∑ 𝐟|𝐃|
Mean Deviation: δ = Mean Deviation: δ = Definition:
𝐍 𝐍 1. According to A. L. Bowely, “Dispersion is the measure of variation of the
2. Coefficient of M.D items.”
From Mean From Median From Mode 2. According to L. R. Connor “Dispersion is a measure of the extent to which the
individual items vary”
𝛅 𝛅 𝛅 3. According to Spiegal, “the degree to which numerical data tend to spread
Coeff. M.D. = Coeff. M.D. = Coeff. M.D. = about an average value is called the variation of dispersion of the data.”
𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞
Characteristics of dispersion:
3. Standard Deviation For the foregoing definition, the essential characteristics of a measures of dispersion can be
Methods Individual series Discrete / Continuous Series outlined as under:
Direct method (based 1. It consists of different methods through which variations can be measured in
∑ 𝒙𝟐 ∑ 𝐟𝒙𝟐
on deviation from σ =√ σ =√ quantitative manner.
Mean) 𝑵 𝑵 2. It deals with a statistical series.
Short-cut Method (on 3. It indicates the degree, or extent to which the various items of a series deviate from
assumed Mean) ∑ 𝒅𝟐𝒙 ∑ 𝒅𝒙 𝟐 ∑ 𝐟𝒅𝟐𝒙 ∑ 𝐟𝒅𝒙 𝟐
σ=√ −( ) σ=√ −( ) its central value.
𝑵 𝑵 𝑵 𝑵 4. It supplements the measures of central tendency in revealing the characteristics of a
Step-deviation method frequency distribution.
∑ 𝒅𝟐 ∑𝒅 𝟐 ∑ 𝐟𝒅𝟐 ∑ 𝐟𝒅 𝟐
σ=√ −( ) σ=√ −( ) 5. It speaks of the reliability, or otherwise of the average value of a series.
𝑵 𝑵 𝑵 𝑵
Method based on
values (when ∑ 𝑿𝟐 ∑𝑿 𝟐 ∑ 𝑭𝑿𝟐 ∑ 𝑭𝑿 𝟐 Characteristics for an ideal measures of dispersion:
assumed mean is
σ=√ −( ) σ=√ −( )  It should be rigidly defined.
𝑵 𝑵 𝑵 𝑵
taken as zero)  It should be easy to calculate and simple to understand
 It should be based on all the observations of the series.
4. Other Formulae
 Measures of Dispersion, 20 Skewness, moments and Kurtosis
 It should be used further for any algebraic treatment.  Quality control-Range has got a special application in the quality control measures.
 It should not be affected much by the fluctuation of sampling The control charts are prepared on the basis of range for controlling the quality of
 It should be affected by the extreme items of th series. products.
Objectives of dispersion  Weather forecast- range is used advantageously by a metrological department for
 A measure of dispersion tells us whether an average is a true representative of the forecast the weather condition.
series or not.  Measurement of fluctuations- Range is a very useful measure to study the
 The extent of variability between two or more series can be compared with the help fluctuation of prices of certain commodities viz, stock and shares, gold, silver etc.
of measures of dispersion. It is useful to determine the degree of uniformity, Inter-quartile Rang;
reliability and consistency amongst two or more sets or data. Inter-quartile range is computed by deducting the value of the first quartile from the
 Measures of dispersion facilitate the use of other statistical measure like correlation, value of third quartile. Inter-quartile range is defined as the difference between the two
regression etc, for further analysis. extreme quartiles of a series.
 Measures of dispersion serve as a basis for control of the variability itself. Advantages of inter-quartile range;
1. It is rigidly defined.
Types of Measures of Dispersion 2. It can be easily calculated and simple to understand.
A. Methods of Limit 3. Its calculation is not affected even if first 25% and last 25% of a series are missing
 Range or changed.
 Inter-quartile range Disadvantages of inter-quartile range:
 Semi inter quartile range 1. It is not based on all the observations of the series.
 Deciles range 2. It is not capable of further algebraic treatment.
 Percentile range 3. It is affected by fluctuation in sampling.
B. Methods of Moment Quartile deviation:
 Mean deviation Quartile deviation is based on central 50% of items. Quartile range is the difference
 Standard deviation between Q3 and Q1 and when this difference is divided by 2 we get quartile deviation. Thus
 Coefficient of variance quartile deviation is defined as the average of the difference of two extreme quartiles of a
 Variance series.
C. Graphic Method –Lorenz Curve Advantages of quartile deviation:
1. It is easy to calculate and simple to understand
2. Its calculation is based on middle 50% of item; hence it is a goods measure of
Range dispersion.
Range is defined as the difference between the two extreme values of a series.
3. It is rigidly defined. it is not very much affected by the extreme values of a series.
Thus, it is merely the difference between the largest and smallest items of the series.
4. It is easy to calculate in case of open-end series.
Advantages of Range;
1. It is easy to calculate and simple to understand.
Disadvantage
2. It is rigidly defined 1. It is not capable of further algebraic treatment
3. It takes the least possible time for calculation 2. It is too much affected by fluctuations of samples
4. In certain types of problems like quality control, weather forecasts etc. use of range 3. It is not based on all the observations of a series
is very useful. 4. It does not show the scatterness around any average.
Disadvantages of Range: Mean deviation
1. It is influenced very much by fluctuation of sampling Mean deviation is the average difference between the items in a series from the mean,
2. It does not take into consideration all the items of the series. median or mode.
3. It is not capable of further algebraic treatment. Merits:
4. It does not take into consideration the frequencies of a series  It is better measure for comparison
Uses of Range:  It is extensively used in other fields
 Measures of Dispersion, 21 Skewness, moments and Kurtosis
 Mean deviation is less affected by the value of extreme items than the standard
deviation. Measures of dispersion
Demerits Exercise A
 It ignores ±signs in its calculation 1. Form the following distribution ascertain the value of range and its coefficient.
 It is difficult to compute when average is in fraction. 10 15 20 25 30 40 50 55 60 70
 It is rarely used in sociological studies. [Ans: 60; 0.75]
Standard Deviation:
S.D. is the square root of the mean of the squared deviation from the actual mean. It 2. From the following series, determine the value of range and its coefficient:
is introduced by Karl person in 1823. It is by far the most important and widely used measure Salary (per month) 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 5000
of studying dispersion. No. of worker 30 20 15 3 7 10 9 6
Merits: [Ans: 4000; 0.67]
 All individual values are taken into account for calculation of S.D.
 It is capable of further algebraic treatment. 3. From the data given below, determine the value of range and its coefficient:
 It is the most rigidly defined measure of dispersion. Marks: 0 – 10 10 – 20 20 – 30 30 – 40 40 – 50 50 – 60 60 – 70
 It is used as an important instrument in making higher statistical analysis viz., No. of students 10 12 14 20 15 10 9
correlation, regression etc. [Ans: 70; 1]
Demerits
 It is not easy to calculate S.D. 4. From the following distribution, determine the value of the range and its coefficient:
 It is not understood by a common man. Wages (per day) 20 – 25 25 – 30 30 – 35 35 – 40 40 – 45 45 – 50
 It is affected very much by the extreme items of a series. No. of labourers 2 14 6 8 11 9
Difference between M.D. and S.D [Ans: 30; 0.43]
 While calculating standard deviation algebraic signs ± are not ignored whereas in
5. From the following data, determine the Range and the Coefficient of Range of marks
mean deviation algebraic signs are completely ignored.
awarded in statistics by the +2Commerce students of Swami Vivekananda College:
 Standard deviation is always calculated from arithmetic mean whereas mean
Marks 10 – 19 20 – 29 30 – 39 40 – 49 50 – 59 60 – 69
deviation can be calculated either from mean, median or mode.
No. of Students 15 5 12 14 10 8
 Standard deviation is much affected by the extreme observations of the series but
that is not the cases with mean deviation. [Ans: 60; 0.76]

Variance: 6. From the following distribution, find the range and its coefficient:
Variance is the square of standard deviation. Thus, variance is calculated as – (S.D.)2 Group Below 50 50 – 60 60 – 80 80 – 110 110 – 150 150 & above
The term variance was used by R.A. Fisher in 1913, if a phenomenon is affected by a number Frequency 5 10 8 7 13 7
of variables, variances helps in isolating the effects of differential factors. [Ans: 155; 0.224]
Coefficient of Variation
Coefficient of variation is defined as “the percentage of variation in mean, standard 7. From the following series determine the inter-quartile range, quartile deviation, and their
deviation being considered as the total variation in the mean.” coefficients:
This measure developed by Karl Pearson is the most commonly used measure of relative Age 10 12 15 18 20 25 27 28 29 30
variation. It is used in such problems where we want to comparative the variability of two or [Ans: 14; 0.34; 7]
more than two series.
Lorenz Curve 8. Fifteen students of a class obtained the following marks in statistics; calculate the quartile
deviation and its coefficient:
For studying the dispersion of a series graphically we are to draw a graph of Lorenz
curves as devised by the famous Economist Lorenz of England. This curve was used for the 15 20 21 22 22 24 25 28 28 29 30 32 33 35 20
first time for measuring the distribution of wealth and income. [Ans: 4.25; 0.176]
9. Find the quartile deviation and its coefficient of the following data
 Measures of Dispersion, 22 Skewness, moments and Kurtosis
Age (in years) 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 3. Calculate mean coefficient of dispersion and median coefficient of dispersion from the
No. of students 4 6 10 15 12 9 4 following data:
[Ans: 1; 0.056] Marks: 10 15 20 30 40 50
10. Calculate the semi-inter quartile range, or quartile deviation and its coefficient of the Frequency: 8 12 15 10 3 2
following data: [Ans: 7.84; 0.363; 7.2; 0.36]
Wages in ` 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
No. of workers 3 61 132 153 140 51 3 4. Find out the mean deviation from mean, median and mode, and also their coefficient form
[Ans: ` 10; ` 0.2] the following series:
11. Compute quartile deviation and its coefficient from the following data: Size of items; 5 15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85
Group: 10 – 15 15 – 20 20 – 25 25 – 30 30 – 40 40 – 50 50 – 60 60 -70 Frequency: 3 8 15 20 25 10 9 6 4
Frequency : 4 12 16 22 10 8 6 4 [Ans: 14.99; 14.8; 14.8]
[Ans: 8.05; 0.273]
5. Calculate the mean deviation from mean for the following series. Also, find out its
12. From the following discrete series, find out the deciles range, semi deciles range, and their coefficient:
coefficients: Marks: 0 – 10 10 – 20 20 – 30 30 – 40 40 – 50
Age 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 No. of Students: 5 8 15 16 6
No of students 5 20 18 17 10 5 3 1 [Ans: 9.44; 0.35]
[Ans: 4; 2; 0.8]
6. Compute the mean deviation from mean, median and mode from the following data:
13. From the following series, find out the deciles and semi deciles range, and percentile and X: 0 – 10 10 – 20 20 – 30 30 – 40 40 – 50 50 – 60 60 – 70 70 – 80 80 – 90
semi-percentile range along with their coefficients: F: 3 8 15 20 25 10 9 6 4
Group: 0–9 10 – 19 20 – 29 30 – 39 40 – 49 50 – 59 60 – 69 [Ans: 14.99; 15.072; 15]
Frequency: 4 6 9 6 15 11 9
[Ans: 50; 25; 0.72] 7. Calculate the value of coefficient of mean deviation from median from the following data:
Marks: 10-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70-80 80-90
14. Calculate quartile deviation and its relative measure for the following distribution: No of Students: 2 6 12 18 25 20 10 7
Group: 20 – 29 30 – 39 40 – 49 50 –59 60 – 69 70 -- 79 [Ans: 12.92; 0.236]
Frequency: 306 182 144 96 42 34
[Ans: 10.71; 0.29] 8. Calculate the mean deviation from the following data relating to the difference in ages
between husband and wife in a particular community:
Diff. in age 0–5 5 –10 10-15 15-20 20-25 25-30 30-35 35-40
Mean Deviation (δ) Frequency: 449 705 507 281 109 52 16 4
Exercise B [Ans: 5.3]
1. From the following series relating to the marks obtained by a batch of 9 students in a
certain test, calculate the mean deviation from mean and median and also calculate their 9. Calculate mean deviation from median from the following data:
coefficients. Marks secured Below Below Below Below Below Below Below Below
Weight in Kg. 47 50 58 45 53 59 47 60 49 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
[Ans: 4.89; 0.094; 4.67; 0.0934] No of students 100 90 80 60 32 20 13 5
[Ans: 14.31]
2. Calculate the mean deviation from mean and its coefficient from the following data: 10. Calculate median, and mean deviation from median for the following frequency
X: 2 4 6 8 10 distribution:
F: 1 4 6 4 1 Age in years 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45
[Ans: 1.5; 0.25] No of person 7 10 16 32 24 18 10 5 1
[Ans: 19.95; 7.1]
 Measures of Dispersion, 23 Skewness, moments and Kurtosis
Standard Deviation Less than 10
Less than 10
30
65
Less than 10
Less than 10
202
222
Exercise C Less than 10 107 Less than 10 230
1. Calculate the standard deviation from the following data of income of 10employees of a firm [Ans: 17.26; 0.426; 42.69]
by direct method; short-cut method, and step deviation method:
Income (`) 600 620 640 620 680 670 680 640 700 650 8. The following are the maks obtained by 40 students of a class. Calculate the coefficient of
[Ans: ` 30.33] variation:
Marks Students Marks Students Marks Students
2. From the following discrete series, find out the standard deviation by all the possible 80 – 84 1 60 – 64 4 40 – 44 6
methods: 75 – 79 1 55 – 59 7 35 – 39 3
Marks: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 – 74 1 50 – 54 6 30 – 34 0
No. of students 8 12 20 10 7 3 65 – 69 4 45 – 49 6 25 – 29 1
[Ans: 13.5] [Ans: 21.8%]

3. Calculate the standard deviation for the following data in different possible methods: 9. A factory produces two types of lams. In an experiment in the working life of these lams, the
Class interval: 0 – 10 10 – 20 20 – 30 30 – 40 40 – 50 following results were obtained:
No of students: 7 12 24 10 7 Length of life No. of lamps
[Ans: 11.397] (in hours) Type – A Type – B
500 – 700 5 4
4. Calculate the standard deviation from the following data: 700 – 900 11 30
Age in years 10-19` 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 900 – 1100 26 12
Frequency: 3 61 233 137 53 79 4 1100 – 1300 10 8
[Ans: 12.4] 1300 – 1500 8 6
Compare the variability using the coefficient of variation. [Ans: 21.64; 23.40]
5. Calculate standard deviation and coefficient of standard deviation of the following series:
Wages in ` No of workers Wages in ` No of workers 10. Mean and standard deviations of two distributions of 100 and 150 items are 50, 5 and 40,
Upto ` 10 12 Upto ` 50 165 6 respectively. Find the man and standard deviation of all the 250 items taken together.
Upto ` 20 30 Upto ` 60 202 [Ans: 44; 7.46]
Upto ` 30 45 Upto ` 70 222
11. Find out the coefficient of variation (C.V) where,
Upto ` 40 107 Upto ` 80 230
[Ans: 16.52; 41] N = 50, ∑ 𝑋 = 1200, 𝛔 = 6
V = 625, mean = 10 [Ans: 25%; 250%]
6. The following data relate to the profit/loss made by engineering companies in Odisha during
the year 2012-13: 12. From the following data, find the combined standard deviation of wages of the two factory:
Wages in ` -10 – 0 0 – 10 10 – 20 20 – 30 30 – 40 40 – 50 Factory – 1 Factory – 2
Less than 10 19 24 49 87 31 27 No. of workers 550 600
Average monthly wages ` 660 ` 648.50
Calculate the standard deviation, and its coefficients. Also, calculate the coefficient of
Variance of the distribution of wages 100 144
variation. [Ans: 13.55; 0.6134; and 61.34%]
[Ans: 12.48]
7. From the following series, determine the standard deviation, its coefficient, and coefficient
of variation: 13. The following are some of the particulars of the distribution of weights of boys and girls in
a class:
Wages in ` No of students Wages in ` No of students
Boys Girls
Less than 10 12 Less than 10 157
Number 100 50
 Measures of Dispersion, 24 Skewness, moments and Kurtosis
Mean weight 60kg 45kg 21. The mean of 5 observations is 4.4 and the variance is 8.24. if three of the five
Variance 9 4 observations are 1,2, and 6, find the other two. [Ans: 9; 4]
Find the standard deviation of the combined data and
Which of the following distribution is more variable? [Ans: 7.57; Boys: 5; Girls: 4.44] 22. There are two sections in a Class A and B. The number of student their average marks,
and standard deviation of the section A are 100, 15 and 3 respectively. If, the number of
14. The number of workers employed, the mean wage (in `) per month and the standard students, their average marks and standard deviation of the entire class be 250, 16, and 4
deviation (in `) in each section of a factory are given below, calculate the mean wages and respectively, find the standard deviation of the section B. [Ans: Mean 16.67; 4.42; 150]
standard deviation of all the workers taken together:
Section No. of workers employed ̅
𝐗 𝛔 23. The mean and standard deviation of 200 items are 60 and 120 respectively. If two items
were mistaken as 3 and 67 in place of 13 and 17 respectively, find the correct value of the
A 50 113 6
mean and the standard deviation. [Ans: 59.8; 120.01]
B 60 120 7
C 90 115 8
24. For a group of 100 items, mean and standard deviation were calculated at 40 and 15
[Ans: 7.746]
respectively. If a score 43 was misread as 53, find the correct mean and standard deviation.
[Ans: 39.9, 14.946]
15. The shares of a company quoted in the two stock exchanges were as under:
2013
25. Two samples of size 30 and 40 respectively have the same mean of 50 and standard
Chennai: 105 120 115 118 130 127 109 110 104 112 deviation of 20 and 10 respectively. Find the combined standard deviation of the two samples.
Delhi: 108 117 120 130 100 125 125 120 110 135 [Ans: 15.118]
State in which market the prices are more stable.
[Ans: Chennai 7.24%; Delhi 8.84%; Chennai stock exchange is more stable] 26. Two samples of size 50 and 100 have means of 54.1 and 50.3 respectively, if their
respective S.D. be 8 and 7, find mean and S.D. of both the series together. [Ans: 51.56; 7.56]
16. The mean and the standard deviation of a sample of size 10 were found to be 9.5 and 2.5
respectively. Later on, an additional observation became available. This was 15. It was 27. If the co-efficient of variations of two series are 75% and 90% and their standard deviation
included in the original sample. Find the mean and the standard deviation of the 11 15 and 18 respectively, find their means.
observations. [Ans: 10; 2.86]
28. If the mean and the standard deviation of series of 100 items be 50 and 4 respectively,
17. The mean and standard deviation of 20 items is found to be 10 and 2 respectively. At the find the sum of the items, and the sum of the square of the items. [Ans: 5000; 251600]
time of checking, it was fond that are an item 8 was incorrect. Calculate the mean and the
standard deviation if, (i) the wrong item is omitted and (ii)it is replace by 12.
[Ans: (i) 10.11; 1.997; (ii) 10.2; 1.9899] Skewness
18. The mean and standard deviation of set of 100 observations were looked out as 40 and 5
respectively by a computer, which by mistake took the value of 50 in place of 40 for one Definition
observation. Recalculate the correct mean and standard deviation. [Ans: 39.9; 4.89] According Croxton and Cowden, “when a series is not symmetrical it is said to be
asymmetrical or skewed.”
19. The mean and standard deviation of 100 items are 30 and 10 respectively. Later on, it was According to Garret, “A distribution is aid to be skewed when the Mean and the Median fall
found that two items were mistaken as 12 and 31 instead of 21 and 13 respectively. Find out at different points in the distribution and balance is shifted to one side or the other to left
or right.”
the correct values of mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation.
[Ans: correct mean 29.91 and standard deviation 10.02; C.V 34%] Characteristics:
From the above definitions, the characteristics of skewness may be outlined as under:
20. In a series there are 5 items out of which the values of the 3 items are 3, 5, 7 respectively. 1. It refers to the asymmetry of a statistical series.
If, the mean and standard deviation of the series be 5 and 3 respectively, find the values of 2. It refers to the difference in values of the averages viz, Mean, Median and Mode.
the other two items. [Ans: 9.3 and 0.7] 3. It refers to the difference in distance between the quartiles and the median.
 Measures of Dispersion, 25 Skewness, moments and Kurtosis
4. It may be positive or negative. If there is more concentration in lower values it is
positive and if there is more concentration in higher values it is negative. 1. Calculate the coefficient of Skewness based on mean and median from the following
distribution:
Objectives of Skewness X: 0 – 10 10 – 20 20 – 30 30 – 40 40 – 50 50 – 60 60 – 70 70 – 80
The following are the chief objectives of studying skewness: F: 6 12 22 48 56 32 18 6
1. To find out the nature and degree of concentration of the frequency distribution of [Ans: 41.7; 42.14; –0.086]
a series i.e., whether there is more concentration with the lower value or vice
versa. 2. Calculate Karl Pearson’s Coefficient of Skewness from the following data:
2. To find out the extent to which the empirical relationship between the values of X: 10 – 15 15 – 20 20 – 25 25 – 30 30 – 35 35 – 40 40 – 45 45 – 50
the mean, median and mode i.e., 1/3 of (mean – mode) = (mean – median), holds F: 8 16 30 45 62 32 15 6
good.
[Ans: –0.22]
3. To ascertain if the distribution is normal and to determine the various measures of
a normal distribution as per the requirement.
3. Calculate coefficient of variation and Karl Pearson’s coefficient of Skewness from the
following data:
Types of skewness Sales (crores) less than 20 40 60 80 100
Broadly speaking, there are two types or skewness: they are positive skewness and negative No of companies: 8 20 50 70 80
skewness. [Ans: 42.65; 0.0063]
Positive skewness: A series is said to have positive skewness when the following
characteristics are notices; 4. From the following data find out the Bowley’’s coefficient of Skewness:
1. Mean >median> mode.
Marks in Maths 90 50 52 86 87 76 80 85 58 61 65
2. The right tail of the curve is longer than its left tail when the data are plotted
[Ans: –0.286]
through a histogram or a frequency polygon
3. The formula of skewness and its coefficient give positive figures.
Negative skewness: A series is said to haves negative skewness when the following 5. Calculate the Quartile coefficient of Skewness for the following
characteristics are noticed: Monthly Income ` No of family Monthly Income ` No of family
1. Mean < Median < Mode 501 – 600 5 901 – 1000 208
2. The left tail of the curve is longer than the right tail when the data are plotted 601 – 700 17 1001 – 1100 134
through a histogram or a frequency polygon. 701 – 800 80 1101 – 1200 68
3. The formula of skewness and its coefficient give negative figures. 801 – 900 186 1201 - 1300 18
Difference measures of skewness [Ans: 0.025]
Karl Pearson’s Skewness: 6. Calculate the Quartile coefficient of Skewness for the following
Annual sales ` No of family Annual sales ` No of family
𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 − 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞
𝐉𝐩 = Less than 20 30 Less than 70 644
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Less than 30 225 Less than 80 650
Less than 40 465 Less than 90 665
Bow ley’s Skewness: Less than 50 580 Less than 100 680
𝐐𝟑 + 𝐐𝟏 − 𝟐𝐌 Less than 60 624
𝐉𝐁 =
𝐐𝟑 − 𝐐𝟏 [Ans: 0.09]

7. The measure of Skewness for a certain distribution is –0.8. If the lower and upper
1A. Calculate the Karl Pearson’s coefficient of Skewness from the following data: quartiles are 44.1 and 56.6 respectively, find the median. [Ans: 55.35]
Size: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Frequency: 10 18 30 25 12 3 2
[Ans: 0.184]
 Measures of Dispersion, 26 Skewness, moments and Kurtosis
8. In a frequency distribution of the coefficient of Skewness based on quartiles is 0.6. If the
sum of upper and lower quartiles is 100 and median is 38, find the value of the upper
quartile. [Ans: 70] Uses or Moments
In statistics, moments have different uses some of which may be enumerated as under:
9. Pearson’s coefficient of Skewness of a distribution is 0.64. Its mean is 82 and Mode 50. 1. They are used to describe the central tendency of a series.
Find the standard deviation [Ans: 50] 2. They are used to describe the dispersion, or scatter of items of a series.
3. They are used to describe the Skewness of a series.
10. When mean 86, Median 80 and Karl Pearson’s coefficient of Skewness 0.42, find the 4. They are used to describe the Kurtosis of a series.
coefficient of variance [Ans: 49.83]
Different types of Moments
Moments Depending upon the method of computation, Moments are divided into three types as under:
The word moment is a mechanical term, which is Physics, refers to a measure of force. But in 1. Moments about the mean, or central moments
statistics, it may be defined as “the arithmetic average of certain power of the deviations of the 2. Moments about an arbitrary value, or assumed moments
items from their arithmetic mean”. 3. Moments about the origin, or zero moment
Accordingly, there can be Moments of various orders viz., first order, second order,
third order, fourth order and so on. The moment of the first order, or the first moment is the Moments about an Arbitrary Value or Assumed Moments
arithmetic mean of the first power of the deviations of the items from their arithmetic mean. Such moments are otherwise called assumed moments. These are computed as arithmetic
Individual series Frequency series men of certain power of deviations of items from an arbitrary value. These moments are
symbolically represented as follows:
̅) ∑ 𝐱
∑(𝐗 − 𝐗 ̅) ∑ 𝐅𝐱
∑ 𝐅(𝐗 − 𝐗 Individual series Frequency series
𝛍𝟏 = = 𝛍𝟏 = = ∑𝐝 ∑ 𝐅𝐝 ∑ 𝐅𝐝
𝐍 𝐍 𝐍 𝐍
𝛍′𝟏 = 𝛍′𝟏 = 𝐨𝐫 × 𝐢𝟏
𝐍 𝐍 𝐍
∑ 𝐝𝟐 ∑ 𝐅𝐝𝟐 ∑ 𝐅𝐝𝟐
Similarly, the moment of the second order or the second moment is the arithmetic mean of the 𝛍′𝟐 = 𝛍′𝟐 = 𝐨𝐫 × 𝐢𝟐
𝐍 𝐍 𝐍
second power of the deviations of the items from their arithmetic mean. ∑ 𝐝𝟑 ∑ 𝐅𝐝𝟑 ∑ 𝐅𝐝𝟑
Individual series Frequency series 𝛍′𝟑 = 𝛍′𝟑 = 𝐨𝐫 × 𝐢𝟑
𝐍 𝐍 𝐍
∑ 𝐝𝟒 ∑ 𝐅𝐝𝟒 ∑ 𝐅𝐝𝟒
̅)𝟐 ∑ 𝐱 𝟐
∑(𝐗 − 𝐗 ̅)𝟐 ∑ 𝐅𝐱 𝟐
∑ 𝐅(𝐗 − 𝐗 𝛍′𝟒 = 𝛍′𝟒 = 𝐨𝐫 × 𝐢𝟒
𝛍𝟐 = = = 𝛍𝟐 = = 𝐍 𝐍 𝐍
𝐍 𝐍 𝐍 𝐍
The procedure of computing the above moments about an arbitrary value is no doubt a very
The moment of the third order or the third moment is the arithmetic mean of the third power of easy affair, but these are not the ends by themselves to be useful for any purpose. They need
the deviations of the items from their arithmetic mean. to be converted into the actual moments about the mean in order that they may be useful to
Individual series Frequency series describe the various characteristics of a distribution viz., average, dispersion, Skewness and
Kurtosis.
̅)𝟑 ∑ 𝐱 𝟑
∑(𝐗 − 𝐗 ̅)𝟑 ∑ 𝐅𝐱 𝟑
∑ 𝐅(𝐗 − 𝐗
𝛍𝟑 = = 𝛍𝟑 = =
𝐍 𝐍 𝐍 𝐍

The moment of the fourth order or the fourth moment is the arithmetic mean of the fourth
power of the deviations of the items from their arithmetic mean.
Individual series Frequency series Conversion of Moments about an arbitrary value into the moment
̅)𝟒 ∑ 𝐱 𝟒
∑(𝐗 − 𝐗 ̅)𝟒 ∑ 𝐅𝐱 𝟒
∑ 𝐅(𝐗 − 𝐗
about the Mean
𝛍𝟒 =
𝐍
=
𝐍
𝛍𝟒 =
𝐍
=
𝐍 𝛍𝟏 = 𝛍′𝟏 − 𝛍′𝟏
 Measures of Dispersion, 27 Skewness, moments and Kurtosis
𝛍𝟐 = 𝛍′𝟐 − (𝛍′𝟏 )𝟐 According to Simpson and Kafka, “the degree of Kurtosis of a distribution is
measured relative to the peakedness of a normal curve.’
𝛍𝟑 = 𝛍′𝟑 − 𝟑𝛍′𝟐 . 𝛍′𝟏 + 𝟐(𝛍′𝟏 )𝟑 According to Spiegel, “Kurtosis is the degree of pekedness of a distribution, usually
𝛍𝟒 = 𝛍′𝟒 − 𝟒𝛍′𝟑 . 𝛍′𝟏 + 𝟔𝛍′𝟐 . (𝛍′𝟏 )𝟐 − 𝟑(𝛍′𝟏 )𝟒 taken relative to a normal distribution.”
According to Croxton and Cowden, “A measure of skewness indicates the
Moments about the origin degree to which a curve of a frequency distribution is peaked or flat-topped.”
From all the above definitions, it must be clear that kurtosis as a measure, refers to
These Moments are also another type of assumed moments which are calculated
the platness or peakedness of a curve obtainable from a distribution.
as the arithmetic mean of some power of the deviations of the items taken from the origin (i.e.,
zero). Such moments are desirable when the values of the variables are of small size. If 𝛃𝟐 = 𝟑, it will give a normal or a Meso Kurtic Curve
If 𝛃𝟐 > 3, it will give a Lepto Kurtic, or amore peaked curve
If 𝛃𝟐 < 3, it will give a platy kurtic, or a more flat-topped curve
∑𝐗 ∑ 𝐅𝐗
First moment about the origin 𝐯𝟏 = 𝐯=
𝐍 𝐍 Exercise B
Second Moment about the origin ∑ 𝐗𝟐 ∑ 𝐅𝐗 𝟐
𝐯𝟐 = 𝐯𝟐 = 1. From the following series, find the first four moments about the mean, and state, if the
𝐍 𝐍 series is a symmetric one, or not:
Third Moment about the origin ∑ 𝐗𝟑 ∑ 𝐅𝐗 𝟑 X: 5 10 15 20 25
𝐯𝟑 = 𝐯𝟑 = [Ans:0; 50; 0; 4250 𝜷𝟏 = 𝟎; symmetric one]
Fourth moment about the origin 𝐍 𝐍
∑ 𝐗𝟒 ∑ 𝐅𝐗 𝟒
𝐯𝟒 = 𝐯𝟒 = 2. From the following series, find the first four moments about an arbitrary value 7, and
𝐍 𝐍 convert them into the moment about the actual mean:
X: 2 3 7 8 10
Indirect Method (or Method of Conversion) [Ans: –1; 10.2; –32.2; 192.6 and 0; 9.2; –3.6; 122]
𝐯𝟏 = 𝐀 + 𝛍′𝟏
𝐯𝟐 = 𝛍𝟐 + 𝐯𝟏 𝟐 3. Find the first four moments about the origin form the following series, and convert them
into the moments about the mean:
𝐯𝟑 = 𝛍𝟑 + 𝟑𝐯𝟐 . 𝐯𝟏 − 𝟐𝐯𝟏 𝟑
X: 10 8 7 3 2
𝐯𝟒 = 𝛍𝟒 + 𝟒𝐯𝟑 . 𝐯𝟏 − 𝟔𝐯𝟐 . 𝐯𝟏 𝟐 + 𝟑𝐯𝟏 𝟒 [Ans: 6; 45.2; 378; 3318.8 and 0; 9.2; –3.6; 122]

𝛍𝟐 4. Calculated first four moments of the data given below:

Coefficient of Skewness: 𝛃𝟏 = 𝟑
𝛍𝟑
𝟐 X: 2.5 7.5 12.5 17.5 22.5
𝝁𝟒
F: 1 2 6 7 4
Beta two: 𝛃𝟐 = [Ans: 0; –28.7; –76.2; 2260]
𝝁𝟐
𝟐
Kurtosis 5. Find the first three central moments of the data:
Kurtosis is a statistical measure which is calculated on the basis of Moments to X: 2 3 4 5
bring about another characteristic of a series. This characteristic refers to th flatness, or F: 3 2 2 3
peakedness of the curve obtained form a series. A series, when plotted on a graph paper may [Ans: 0; 1.45; 0]
produce either of the following three types of curves:
Symmetric, or normal curve which is nether more flat nor more peaked. 6. Calculate first four moments of the marks of 300 students:
Asymmetric curve which is more flat than a normal one.
Marks 10 – 20 20 – 30 30 – 40 40 – 50 50 – 60 60 – 70 70 – 80
Asymmetric curve which is more peaked than a normal one
Students 1 20 69 108 78 22 2
[Ans: 0; 133.7; –8.1; 35225]
Definitions of kurtosis
 Measures of Dispersion, 28 Skewness, moments and Kurtosis
Exercise B 13. You are given the following frequency distribution of the daily earnings of employees in a
1. The first two moments of a distribution about the value 1 are 2 and 29 respectively. Find company:
the mean and standard deviation of the distribution. [Ans: Ans: 𝑿 ̅ = 𝟑, 𝝈 = 𝟓] Earning (`) 50 – 70 70 – 90– 110 110- 130 – 150 – 170 – 190
2. The first three moments of a distribution about the value 4 are 1.5, 17, - 30. Find the 90 130 150 170
values of mean, standard deviation and the moment measure of skewness. [Ans: 𝑿 ̅= No of workers 4 8 12 20 6 7 3
𝟐. 𝟓, 𝝈 = 𝟑. 𝟖𝟒 Skp=0.7014] Calculate the four moments about the point 120. Convert the results into moments about the
3. The three moments of a distribution about the value 3 of the variable are 2, 10, and 30 mean. Compute the value of 𝛽1 and comment on the results.
respectively. Obtain the first three moments about zero. Show also that the variance of [Ans: 0, 186.96, −317.184, 84533.88, 𝜷𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟓𝟒, 𝜷𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟒𝟏𝟖𝟒 𝒂𝒏𝒅𝜸𝟐 =
the distribution is 6. [Ans: 5, 31, 201] −𝟎. 𝟓𝟖𝟏𝟔]
4. The first four moments of a distribution about the value 4 of the variables are – 1.5, 17, -
30 and 108. Find the moments about mean and origin. Also calculate the mean of the
distribution. [Ans: −1.5, 14.75, 39.75, 142.312, 2.5, 21, 116, 1132, 𝑿 ̅ = 𝟐. 𝟓]
5. The first four moments of a distribution about the value 5 are 7, 70,140 and 175.
Calculate 𝛽1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛽2 comment on the nature of the distribution. [Ans: 𝜷𝟏 =
𝟒𝟒. 𝟕𝟖𝟑𝟏, 𝜷𝟐 = 𝟐𝟏. 𝟖𝟒𝟏𝟑 𝜸𝟏 = −𝟔. 𝟔𝟗𝟐 𝒂𝒏𝒅𝜸𝟐 = 𝟏𝟖. 𝟖𝟒𝟏𝟑, lepto Kurtic]
6. The following data are given to an economist for the purpose of economic analysis. The
data refer to the length of a certain type of batteries N=100,∑ 𝑓𝑑 = 50, ∑ 𝑓𝑑 2 =
1970, ∑ 𝑓𝑑 3 = 2948 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ∑ 𝑓𝑑 4 = 86.752 𝑖𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑑 = (𝑋 − 48). Do you
think, that the distribution is Platy Kurtic? [Ans: 𝜷𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟏𝟓 𝒂𝒏𝒅𝜸𝟐 =
−𝟎. 𝟕𝟖𝟒, 𝒚𝒆𝒔]
7. The following values are obtained form a frequency distribution: ∑ 𝑓 = 100, ∑ 𝑓𝑥 =
−100 ∑ 𝑓𝑥 2 = 5500, ∑ 𝑓𝑥 3 = −6250 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ∑ 𝑓𝑥 4 = 775000. Comment on the
nature of the distribution after calculating a measure of skewness and kurtosis. [Ans:
skewness= 0.253, kurtosis=2.6842, skewed and platy Kurtic]
8. Given the following information: mean = 10, variance = 16 and √𝛽1 = +1, obtain the
first three moments about the origin. [Ans: 0, 116, 1544]
9. The first four moments from the mean of distribution are 0, 3.2, 3.6, and 20. The mean
value is 11. Calculate the first four moments about zero. [Ans: 124.2, 1440.2, 17142.6]
10. Calculate the first four moments from the following data. Also calculate the values of
𝛽1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛽2 and comment on the nature of distribution.
X: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
F: 5 10 15 20 25 20 15 10 5
[Ans: 0, 4, 0, 37.6, , 𝜷𝟏 = 𝟎, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝜷𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟓]
11. Find the first four moments about the mean in the following distribution.
X: 60 – 62 63 – 65 66 – 68 69 – 71 72 – 74
F: 5 18 42 27 8
Also compute 𝛽1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛽2 [Ans: 0, 8.5275, −2.69, 3, 199.376;
𝛃𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟐𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝛃𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟕𝟒𝟐]
12. Find the kurtosis to the following data:
Class interval: 0 – 10 10 – 20 20 – 30 30 – 40
Frequency: 1 3 4 2
[Ans: −3.667, 940, −5466.66, 0, 926.55, 44, 774.83, 2195107.2]