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MOMENTS
In mechanics, the term moment is used to denote the rotating effect of a force. In Statistics, it is used to
indicate peculiarities of a frequency distribution. The utility of moments lies in the sense that they indicate
different aspects of a given distribution. Thus, by using moments, we can measure the central tendency of a
series, dispersion or variability, skewness and the peakedness of the curve.
Central Moments
The moments about the actual arithmetic mean are called Central Moments. They denoted by .
The first four moments about mean or central moments are as follows:
( X - X )
r
mr =
For ungrouped data: N ; r = 1, 2, 3, 4.
f ( X - X )
r
mr =
For grouped data: f ; r = 1, 2, 3, 4.
Remarks
1. The first central moment is zero, that is, 1 = 0.
2. The second central moment is 2 = 2, indicating the variance.
3. The third central moment 3 is used to measure skewness or symmetry.
4. The fourth central moment 4 gives an idea about the Kurtosis or peakedness.
Raw Moments
The moments about an arbitrary point i.e. assumed mean, are called Raw Moments. They are denoted by m .
The first four raw moments are as follows:
( X - A )
r
m r=
For ungrouped data: N ; r = 1, 2, 3, 4.
f ( X - A )
r
mr=
For grouped data: f ; r = 1, 2, 3, 4.
Remarks
The first raw moment m1 = X - A
mr=
f Xr
For grouped data: f ; r = 1, 2, 3, 4.
Remarks
The first moment about origin is always equal to mean.
distribution. Thus, for most of the distribution obtained from actual data this assumption is invalid and it leads
to grouping error. The grouping error in moments can be corrected by applying Sheppards corrections as
follows:
h2
m2 (corrected) = m2 (uncorrected) -
12
h2 7 4
m4 (corrected) = m 4 (uncorrected) - m 2 (uncorrected) + h
2 240
Here h is the width of the class interval.
The first and third moments need no correction.
The moments before correction are called Crude Moments and those after correction are called Adjusted or
Corrected Moments.
SKEWNESS
Skewness refers to lack of symmetry. The distribution is said to be skewed when the frequency curve of the
distribution is not symmetrical. If the frequency curve has a longer tail to the right of the central maximum
than to the left, the distribution is said to be skewed to the right or positively skewed. On the other hand, if the
frequency curve has a longer tail to the left of the central maximum than to the right, the distribution is said to
be skewed to the left or negatively skewed.
Measures of Skewness
Measures of skewness give the direction and the extent of skewness.
2. Skewness = Q3 + Q1 2 Median
When Q3 + Q1 > 2Median, there is positive skewness.
When Q3 + Q1 < 2Median, there is negative skewness.
When Q3 + Q1 = 2Median, there is no skewness.
Moments, Skewness & Kurtosis 31
KURTOSIS
Kurtosis tells us about the degree of peakedness of the frequency curve of the distribution. It can be referred to
as the degree of peakedness, taken relative to a normal curve.
The normal curve which is not very peaked nor flat topped is called Mesokurtic.
If the distribution has a relatively high peak, it is called Leptokurtic.
If the distribution has a relatively flat-topped frequency curve, it is called Platykurtic.
Measures of Kurtosis
1. Pearsons 2-coefficient of kurtosis
m4
b2 =
m22
For a normal curve 2 = 3, for leptokurtic curve 2 > 3 and for platykurtic curve 2 < 3.
2. Pearsons 2-coefficient of kurtosis
g 2 = b2 - 3
For a normal curve 2 = 0, for leptokurtic curve 2 > 0 and for platykurtic curve 2 < 0.
Skewness shows the cluster of values above or below an average. In a normal distribution, the data is equally
clustered above and below an average while in an asymmetrical distribution they are not equally clustered.
Kurtosis measures the degree of concentration of the items around the central part of the series.
Exercise
Tick the correct option.
1. If difference between two quartiles is 8, sum of two quartiles is 22 and median is 10.5, the coefficient of
skewness is:
A 0.5 B 0.5 C 0.125 D 0.125
2. In a positively skewed distribution, the percentage of observations that fall below the median is:
A About 50% B Less than 50% C More than 50% D Impossible to determine
6. In a certain distribution, the following results were obtained: Mean = 45, Median = 48 and coefficient of
skewness = 0.4. The standard deviation of the distribution will be:
A 22.5 B 7.5 C 9 D 30
8. In a frequency distribution, the value of mean is greater than the mode, the distribution would be:
A Positively skewed B Negatively skewed C Symmetrical D None of these