The following table exhibits base salary data obtained from a survey of over 170 benchmark positions, including finance positions. It reports the salaries of a sample of 25 human resource directors for mid-sized firms. Assume the data are in thousands of dollars.

173.1 171.2 141.9 112.6 211.1 156.5 145.4 134.0 192.0 185.8 168.3 131.0 214.4 155.2 164.9 123.9 161.9 162.7 178.8 161.3 182.0 165.8 213.1 177.4 159.3

a. Calculate the mean salary of the HR directors.

b. Based on measures of the center of the data, determine if the salary data are skewed.

c. Construct a box and whisker plot and summarize the characteristics of the salaries that it reveals.