Distributive Numeral

Understanding Distributive Numerals

Distributive numerals express the distribution of a quantity among individual entities. They answer the question ‘how many each?’ or ‘how many times each?’

Key Concepts

The core idea is individual allocation. Unlike collective numerals (e.g., ‘a dozen’), distributive numerals focus on each member of a set.

• Each: Denotes every single member.
• Every: Similar to each, emphasizing totality.
• Either: Refers to one of two options.
• Neither: Refers to none of two options.

Deep Dive

Distributive numerals often appear with prepositions like ‘per’ or are implied by context. They are crucial for precise quantitative statements.

Example: ‘The candies were divided three each among the children.’ This means each child received three candies.

Example: ‘He scored two goals per game.’ This indicates a rate of distribution over games.

Applications

Distributive numerals are used in:

• Mathematics: Expressing division and rates.
• Everyday Language: Describing sharing and allocation.
• Economics: Discussing per-unit costs or quantities.

Challenges & Misconceptions

A common confusion is with collective numerals. ‘A pair’ refers to a group of two, while ‘two each’ refers to two items for every individual.

FAQs

What is the difference between ‘each’ and ‘every’?
‘Each’ focuses on individual items in a set, while ‘every’ emphasizes the entirety of the set as a collection of individuals.

Are ‘per’ and distributive numerals related?
Yes, ‘per’ often introduces or signifies a distributive relationship, like ‘miles per hour‘.