Gleichanteil

Gleichanteil is a German term meaning an equal share or equal portion. It is formed from gleich, meaning equal, and Anteil, meaning share or portion. The word is used in everyday language as well as in mathematical and practical contexts to describe a division of a whole into parts of identical size or value.

In mathematics and formal contexts, Gleichanteil refers to a partition of a quantity or set into k parts that are exactly the same size. For example, dividing 100 units into four equal parts yields a Gleichanteil of 25 units for each part. The concept underpins ideas of fair division and proportional distribution, and it is often contrasted with unequal or approximate shares.

Practical applications of Gleichanteil appear in various areas. In everyday life, people speak of splitting costs or resources into Gleichanteile to ensure fairness, such as sharing a pizza among four people so that each receives an equal portion. In legal and economic contexts, Gleichanteil describes the principle of equal distribution, for instance in inheritance matters among heirs, or in per capita allocations of goods or burdens.

The term is generally neutral and interchangeable with phrases like gleichmäßige Teilung or gleiche Verteilung in more formal or technical settings. It is distinct from fractional terms such as Bruchteil, which describes a portion relative to a whole, and from general terms for distribution that do not imply exact equality.

See also: Gleichverteilung, Teilung, Anteil, Erbteilung.