Definition

1. Noun:
   • A numerical or constant factor in an algebraic term: A coefficient is a number that multiplies a variable in an algebraic expression, indicating how many times the variable is taken.
   • A constant factor representing a specific property: In science and mathematics, a coefficient is a constant number that serves as a measure of some property, characteristic, or relationship between different quantities.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In the term 5x, the number 5 is the coefficient of x.
  • The coefficient of friction is a measure of how easily one surface slides over another.
  • Scientists calculated the correlation coefficient to determine the strength of the relationship between the two variables.

Advanced Usage

• "Coefficient of determination" (R-squared): In statistics, a number that indicates the proportion of the variance in the dependent variable that is predictable from the independent variable(s).
  • A high coefficient of determination suggests the model fits the data well.
• "Coefficient of expansion": In physics, a measure of how much a material expands per degree of temperature increase.
  • Engineers must consider the thermal coefficient of expansion when designing bridges.

Variants and Related Words

• Coefficiently (adv, rare): In a manner relating to or by means of a coefficient.
• Binomial coefficient (n): A specific coefficient in the expansion of a binomial expression, often represented as "n choose k".
  • The binomial coefficient is a key component in probability calculations.

Synonyms

• Factor: An element or circumstance that contributes to a result; in mathematics, a number that divides another number exactly.
• Multiplier: Something that multiplies or increases.
• Constant: A value that does not change.

Related Phrases

• "Drag coefficient": A dimensionless quantity used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment.
  • A streamlined shape has a low drag coefficient.
• "Coefficient matrix": In linear algebra, a matrix consisting of the coefficients of the variables from a system of linear equations.

Noun

1. a constant number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic