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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 friction
.
Arbitrary 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.

Definition 2024


coefficient

coefficient

See also: coëfficient and coëfficiënt

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

coefficient (comparative more coefficient, superlative most coefficient)

  1. cooperating
    • 1850, August Neander, The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion and Historical ..., page 13
      And so our own idea of Christ compels us to admit that two factors, the one natural, the other supernatural, were coefficient in his entrance into human life;
    • 2005, Mathew Callahan, Boff Whalley, The Trouble with Music, page 12
      Nevertheless, there was some substance to the notion that acclaim and merit were coefficient.

Translations

Noun

coefficient (plural coefficients)

  1. (mathematics) A constant by which an algebraic term is multiplied.
  2. A number, value or item that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic.

Hyponyms

Derived terms

Translations


French

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /kɔ.e.fi.sjɑ̃/

Noun

coefficient m (plural coefficients)

  1. coefficient

Derived terms