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VCE Stuff => VCE Mathematics => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE General & Further Mathematics => Topic started by: CA15 on December 20, 2018, 01:58:27 pm

Title: Symmetric vs approximately symmetric
Post by: CA15 on December 20, 2018, 01:58:27 pm

Hi,
When identifying the shape of a box plot what would be the difference between the terms symmetric and approximately symmetric?

Title: Re: Symmetric vs approximately symmetric
Post by: AngelWings on December 20, 2018, 02:13:21 pm

Pretty much exactly as it sounds. Symmetric generally means that it's exactly symmetrical, while approximately symmetrical is skewed in either direction slightly, but relatively symmetrical otherwise.

VCAA does tend to make sure that an approximately symmetrical boxplot looks noticeably different to an exactly symmetrical one, so it shouldn't be too difficult to tell the difference.