Asymmetry of a distribution

A qualitative property of the curve of a distribution, indicating that the distribution deviates from a symmetric one. The asymmetry of a distribution is positive (negative) if the asymmetry coefficient is positive (negative). If the asymmetry of a distribution is positive (negative), then the "longer" part of the density curve of the distribution is found to the right (left) of the mode.

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In Western literature one commonly calls this notion the skewness of a distribution, and accordingly one speaks of the skewness coefficient.