index number

noun

, Statistics.

1. a quantity whose variation over a period of time measures the change in some phenomenon.

index number

noun

1. statistics a statistic indicating the relative change occurring in each successive period of time in the price, volume, or value of a commodity or in a general economic variable, such as the price level, national income, or gross output, with reference to a previous base period conventionally given the number 100

Word History and Origins

Origin of index number¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

If the correction is not enough, or if it is too much, the index number next month will tell the story.

From Project Gutenberg

A definite and simple criterion for the required adjustments is at hand—the now familiar "index number" of prices.

From Project Gutenberg

Suppose, for instance, that next month the index number is found to remain unchanged at 101.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet the selection of such an index number is open to all the difficulties attaching to a similar index number of prices.

From Project Gutenberg

From these considerations I deduce that the index number of general commodities may be safely taken as 200 when your book appears.

From Project Gutenberg