Per capita
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (July 2008) |
 |
Look up per capita in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning Per Head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' and capita (singular caput) meaning 'heads'. Both words together equate to the phrase 'for each head'.
It is usually used in the field of statistics to indicate the average per person for any given concern, such as income, crime rate, etc.
It is also used in wills to indicate that each of the named beneficiaries should receive, by devise or bequest, equal shares of the estate. This is in contrast to a per stirpes division, in which each branch of the inheriting family inherits an equal share of the estate. It is usually a sum divided by an amount of people.
[edit] See also
 |
This statistics-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |