7th Grade · Statistics & Probability

Distribution

7.SP.B.3

Definition

Describes how data values are spread across a range. Described by shape (symmetric, skewed, or uniform), center (mean or median), and spread (range or MAD).

Examples

  • A roughly symmetric (bell-shaped) distribution with mean ≈ median ≈ 80.
  • Right-skewed: tail goes right, most data on the left; left-skewed is the reverse.

Key rule

Always describe a distribution by its shape, center, and spread.

Memory hook

Shape, center, and spread tell the whole story.