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We know that a distribution with zero Skewness are symmetric. A quick Google search or looking up in textbooks says that

Symmetric distributions are distributions where the left side mirrors the right side.

In other words, they are symmetric about something. But what are they symmetric about? Their mean? Median? Mode? There probably would be no confusion if this was specified. But if someone talks about (or perhaps, if you're asked in an exam about) a symmetric distribution, what should we assume as the default?

Context: This MCQ in a test I gave --

A distribution has zero skewness if it is:

(a) Symmetrical about its mode

(b) Symmetrical about its mean

(c) Symmetrical about its median

WorldGov
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  • If the left side mirrors the right side, and you choose a random value from the distribution, what is the probability that it falls in the left side vs. the right side? How does this relate to the mean / median / mode? 2. Is the Cauchy distribution symmetric? It doesn't have a mean. 3. Is a distribution shaped like a "U" on an arbitrary interval $[a,b]$ symmetric? Where is its mode (trick question)?
  • – jbowman May 20 '19 at 03:33
  • Also note that a distribution has zero skewness (assuming it has a third moment) if it is symmetric. You should be able to see that "symmetric" is all that is required. Thus, all three statements in the context question are true. – jbowman May 20 '19 at 03:39
  • For posts on symmetry and medians see https://stats.stackexchange.com/search?q=symmetric+distribution+median; for symmetry and means, https://stats.stackexchange.com/search?q=symmetric+distribution+mean; and for symmetry and mode, https://stats.stackexchange.com/search?q=symmetric+distribution+mode. For definitions and characterizations of symmetry, https://stats.stackexchange.com/search?q=symmetric+distribution+definition. – whuber May 20 '19 at 12:48
  • Although it's explained in many different places, this thread lacks a signal that skewness can be measured in many different ways, e.g. using (mean $-$ median) / SD or L-moments as well as the definition discussed in two answers so far, as a dimensionless ratio based on third and second moments. – Nick Cox May 28 '19 at 06:46