Court Reporter Practice Exam

What does the term "per capita" imply?

1. By the group

2. By the head

3. In total

4. For the benefit of all

The correct answer is: By the head

The term "per capita" is a Latin phrase that translates to "by heads" or "for each person." It is commonly used in statistics and economics to provide an average per person in a given population. This helps to present data in a way that accounts for the individual rather than just the collective total. When data is expressed on a per capita basis, it allows for a clearer understanding of individual contributions, income levels, consumption rates, and other measurable factors relative to the population size. This distinction is crucial, especially when comparing different populations or making assessments that require an understanding of individual versus total statistics.