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Ceteris Paribus

Ceteris paribus is a latin phrase for "all else being equal." The term is most often used when isolating descriptions of events from other potential environmental variables.

To this effect the physicist could say "if I hit the nine ball with the cue ball at a certain angle, with a certain force, ceteris paribus, I can predict the trajectory of the nine ball on the billiard table." In using the ceteris paribus clause, the physicist is saying that his calculation takes for granted that the law of gravity continues into the future, that the building he is standing in won't suddenly collapse just as the cue ball is struck, etc.

The ceteris paribus clause can be used to simplify thought experiments and simulations by relying on induction and the common sense law of inertia which states that things tend to remain the same (e.g. buildings tend not to collapse).

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