The SKEW function in Excel is used to calculate the skewness of a data set. Skewness is a measure of the asymmetry of a probability distribution. It measures how far a set of numbers is spread out from its average. Positive skewness indicates a distribution with an asymmetric tail extending toward more positive values. Negative skewness indicates an asymmetric tail extending toward more negative values.
The function calculates the skewness of a data set based on the formula given by the moment coefficient of skewness. The function takes an array of numbers or a range of cells containing numbers as its argument. It will then return the skewness of the data set as a decimal number. A number close to zero indicates a normal distribution, while higher and lower numbers indicate more positive or negative skewness respectively.
The SKEW formula can quickly identify if a data set is symmetrical or asymmetrical. It can also help to identify the direction of an asymmetry and can be used to compare the skewness of different data sets. The function can be used for fundamental analysis of data sets, for example, to identify potential outliers. It is also an important part of more complex statistical calculations, such as finding the kurtosis of a data set.