What is the Latin term for "all other things being the same"?

Prepare for the UCF ECO2013 Principles of Macroeconomics Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The term "ceteris paribus" is a foundational concept in economics, particularly useful for isolating the effect of one variable while holding others constant. In Latin, it means "all other things being equal." This phrase helps economists simplify complex relationships by enabling the analysis of the impact of a single factor, assuming that all other relevant factors remain unchanged. For instance, when considering how a change in price affects the quantity demanded, one would use ceteris paribus to ensure that other influences, such as consumer income or preferences, do not affect the outcome of that analysis.

The other options, while notable terms in their respective contexts, do not relate specifically to the concept of holding other variables constant in economic analysis. "Modus operandi" refers to a mode of operating or working, "vis-a-vis" means in relation to or compared with, and "caveat emptor" translates to "let the buyer beware," which pertains to contract law and does not convey the idea of controlled variables in economic studies. Thus, "ceteris paribus" is clearly the most appropriate choice in this context.

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