In a distribution with positive skew, the highest frequencies are located on which side of the distribution?

In a distribution with positive skew, the highest frequencies are located on which side of the distribution?

• A. On the right side of the distribution
• B. On the left side of the distribution
• C. In the middle of the distribution
• D. Represents at two distinct peaks

Answer: (B)

When a distribution is positively skewed, most observations cluster on the left side while a long tail extends to the right. Frequencies correspond to how tall each part of the distribution is, so the highest frequencies—the tallest part—occur on the left where the data are most concentrated. This pattern also explains why the mean is often pulled toward the right by the tail, while the peak value (the mode) sits toward the left. The right side is the tail with fewer observations, not the area where frequencies are highest.

When a distribution is positively skewed, most observations cluster on the left side while a long tail extends to the right. Frequencies correspond to how tall each part of the distribution is, so the highest frequencies—the tallest part—occur on the left where the data are most concentrated. This pattern also explains why the mean is often pulled toward the right by the tail, while the peak value (the mode) sits toward the left. The right side is the tail with fewer observations, not the area where frequencies are highest.