Category:Coefficient

Co`ef*fi"cient, a.

Defn: Coöperating; acting together to produce an effect. Co`ef*fi"cient*ly, adv.

coefficient Co`ef*fi"cient, n.

1. That which unites in action with something else to produce the same effect.

2. Etym: [Cf. F. coefficient.] (Math.)

Defn: 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)

Defn: 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.