factorial

[ fak-tawr-ee-uh l, -tohr- ]
/ fækˈtɔr i əl, -ˈtoʊr- /

noun

Mathematics. the product of a given positive integer multiplied by all lesser positive integers: The quantity four factorial (4!) = 4 ⋅ 3 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 1 = 24. Symbol: n!, where n is the given integer.

adjective

Mathematics. of or relating to factors or factorials.
of or relating to a factor or a factory.

Origin of factorial

First recorded in 1810–20; factor + -ial

OTHER WORDS FROM factorial

fac·to·ri·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby factorial

factor x, factor xi, factor xii, factor xiii, factorage, factorial, factorial experiment, factoring, factorize, factory, factory farm

Example sentences from the Web for factorial

  • These phenomena demonstrate the existence of a complex interrelation between the factorial units.

    The Organism as a Whole |Jacques Loeb

  • In its place stands the factorial hypothesis, evolved by workers in America, England, and France at about the same time.

    Applied Eugenics |Paul Popenoe and Roswell Hill Johnson

  • It is by no means unlikely that various dark forms of lubricipeda correspond with a progressive series of factorial additions.

    Problems of Genetics |William Bateson

  • The possible connections within it were factorial one hundred thousand.

    Unwise Child |Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for factorial

factorial
/ (fækˈtɔːrɪəl) maths /

noun

the product of all the positive integers from one up to and including a given integer. Factorial zero is assigned the value of one: factorial four is 1 × 2 × 3 × 4 . Symbol: n !, where n is the given integer

adjective

of or involving factorials or factors

Derived forms of factorial

factorially, adverb

Scientific definitions for factorial

factorial
[ făk-tôr′ē-əl ]

The product of all of the positive integers from 1 to a given positive integer. It is written as the given integer followed by an exclamation point. For example, the factorial of 4 (written 4!) is 1 X 2 X 3 X 4, or 24.