ceteris paribus

Latin phrase

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Last updated

July 17, 2026

Quick Summary

"Ceteris paribus" is a Latin phrase meaning "all other things being equal". It is used as an adverb to indicate that a statement or conclusion holds true only if all other relevant factors remain unchanged. This phrase is commonly used in economics and other fields to isolate the effect of one variable by assuming all others are constant. For example, when analyzing the relationship between price and demand, an economist might assume ceteris paribus, meaning they are only considering how changes in price affect demand, while keeping factors like consumer income and preferences constant. The phrase has been in use since at least 1601.1

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demand curve
…relationship is contingent on certain ceteris paribus (other things equal) conditions remaining constant. Such conditions include the number of consumers in the market, consumer tastes or preferences, prices of substitute goods, consumer price expectations, and personal income. A change in one or more of these conditions causes a change in…
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…relationship is contingent on certain ceteris paribus (other things equal) conditions remaining constant. Such conditions include the number of consumers in the market, consumer tastes or preferences, prices of substitute goods, consumer price expectations, and personal income. A change in one or more of these conditions causes a change in…
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supply curve
…relationship is dependent on certain ceteris paribus (other things equal) conditions remaining constant. Such conditions include the number of sellers in the market, the state of technology, the level of production costs, the seller’s price expectations, and the prices of related products. A change in any of these conditions will…
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…relationship is dependent on certain ceteris paribus (other things equal) conditions remaining constant. Such conditions include the number of sellers in the market, the state of technology, the level of production costs, the seller’s price expectations, and the prices of related products. A change in any of these conditions will…
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