coefficient

[ koh-uh-fish-uhnt ]

noun

1. Mathematics. a number or quantity placed (generally) before and multiplying another quantity, as 3 in the expression 3x.
2. Physics. a number that is constant for a given substance, body, or process under certain specified conditions, serving as a measure of one of its properties:

   coefficient of friction.

adjective

1. acting in consort; cooperating.

coefficient

/ ˌkəʊɪˈfɪʃənt /

noun

1. maths
   1. a numerical or constant factor in an algebraic term

      the coefficient of the term 3xyz is 3

   2. the product of all the factors of a term excluding one or more specified variables

      the coefficient of x in 3axyz is 3ayz

2. physics a value that relates one physical quantity to another

coefficient

/ kō′ə-fĭsh′ənt /

1. A number or symbol multiplied with a variable or an unknown quantity in an algebraic term. For example, 4 is the coefficient in the term 4 x , and x is the coefficient in x ( a + b ).
2. A numerical measure of a physical or chemical property that is constant for a system under specified conditions. The speed of light in a vacuum, for example, is a constant.

Other Words From

• coef·ficient·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of coefficient¹

First recorded in 1655–65, coefficient is from the New Latin word coefficient- (stem of coefficiēns ). See co-, efficient

Word History and Origins

Origin of coefficient¹

C17: from New Latin coefficiēns, from Latin co- together + efficere to effect

Example Sentences

Gardam’s counterexample uses one of the simplest number systems for its coefficients, a clock arithmetic with only two “hours.”

From Quanta Magazine

They’re also useful more generally whenever the linear system you’re trying to solve has a large number of variables whose coefficients are zero.

From Quanta Magazine

Drag coefficient measures how aerodynamic a car is, or essentially how its shape impacts the way it moves through the air, and the lower the number, the better.

From Singularity Hub 

The first dimension comes from taking a subset of the 3 billion numbers and adding them together, or multiplying them by some coefficient.

From Quanta Magazine

Stuff the part that wants to become infinite into a coefficient — a fixed number — in front of the sum.

From Quanta Magazine

(b) Similarly obtain the phenol coefficient at 30 minutes contact period.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course you want to know how this coefficient has been found out, and how you can be sure it is correct.

From Project Gutenberg

I hope I have now kept my promise, and made it clear how the coefficient of centrifugal force may be found in this simple way.

From Project Gutenberg

How to find the coefficient, by which the amount of centrifugal force exerted in any case may be computed.

From Project Gutenberg

At high temperatures the resistance generally increases, but the temperature coefficient is irregular.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• collegial
• concerted
• coordinated
• harmonious
• interdependent
• reciprocal
• symbiotic
• united