Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Coefficient
Coˊef-fi′cient
,Noun.
1.
That which unites in action with something else to produce the same effect.
2.
[Cf. F.
coefficient
.] (Math.)
A number or letter put before a letter or quantity, known or unknown, to show how many times the latter is to be taken;
as, 6x; bx; here 6 and b are
. coefficients
of x
3.
(Physics)
A number, commonly used in computation as a factor, expressing the amount of some change or effect under certain fixed conditions as to temperature, length, volume, etc.;
as, the
. coefficient
of expansion; the coefficient
of frictionArbitrary coefficient
(Math.)
, a literal coefficient placed arbitrarily in an algebraic expression, the value of the coefficient being afterwards determined by the conditions of the problem.
Webster 1828 Edition
Coefficient
COEFFICIENT
, n.1.
That which unites in action with something else to produce the same effect.2.
In algebra, a number or known quantity put before letters, or quantities, known or unknown, and into which it is supposed to be multiplied; as in 3x and ax, 3 and a are the coefficients of x.3.
In fluxions, the coefficient of any generating term is the quantity which arises from the division of that term by the generated quantity.