coefficient
[ koh-uh-fish-uh nt ]
/ ˌkoʊ əˈfɪʃ ənt /
noun
Mathematics.
a number or quantity placed (generally) before and multiplying another quantity, as 3 in the expression 3x.
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
acting in consort; cooperating.
Origin of coefficient
OTHER WORDS FROM coefficient
co·ef·fi·cient·ly, adverbWords nearby coefficient
Example sentences from the Web for coefficient
British Dictionary definitions for coefficient
coefficient
/ (ˌkəʊɪˈfɪʃənt) /
noun
maths
- a numerical or constant factor in an algebraic termthe coefficient of the term 3xyz is 3
- the product of all the factors of a term excluding one or more specified variablesthe coefficient of x in 3axyz is 3ayz
physics
a value that relates one physical quantity to another
Word Origin for coefficient
C17: from New Latin
coefficiēns, from Latin
co- together +
efficere to
effect
Medical definitions for coefficient
coefficient
[ kō′ə-fĭsh′ənt ]
n.
The mathematical expression of the amount or degree of any quality possessed by a substance, or of the degree of physical or chemical change normally occurring in that substance under stated conditions.
Scientific definitions for coefficient
coefficient
[ kō′ə-fĭsh′ənt ]
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 4x, and x is the coefficient in x(a + b).
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.