Aggregately: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'aggregately' comes from the Latin word 'aggregare,' meaning 'to add to.'
• Its prefix 'ag-' is a form of 'ad-' meaning 'to' and 'gregare' means 'to gather.'
• This term emerged in the English language in the 15th century, initially used in mathematical contexts.

Mathematics

• In statistics, aggregately is often used to refer to combined data measures, like average scores.
• Aggregates are crucial in data analysis, helping to summarize large datasets into manageable figures.
• The concept of aggregation plays a key role in economics when analyzing total market output or consumer behavior.

Environmental Science

• Environmental studies utilize aggregate data to evaluate the health of ecosystems by combining individual species counts.
• Climate scientists often discuss aggregate emissions from countries to understand global impact on climate change.
• Aggregately assessing biodiversity helps in conservation efforts, illustrating overall environmental health.

Technology

• In computing, aggregate functions are used in databases to perform calculations on a set of values, like summing up sales.
• Data aggregation is crucial in big data analytics, where vast amounts of information are grouped to extract insights.
• Social media platforms aggregate user data to provide targeted advertising, illustrating the concept in a digital context.

Social Sciences

• Sociologists examine behaviors aggregately to understand societal trends and collective phenomena.
• Policy analysts use aggregate statistics to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and interventions on communities.
• Public health studies often assess health outcomes aggregately to understand the impact of diseases across populations.