coefficient
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (1)
- a constant number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristicType of constantKinds weight, coefficient of reflection, absorption coefficient, coefficient of mutual induction, coefficient of expansion, coefficient of friction, modulus, transmittance, coefficient of viscosity, coefficient of self induction +1 more
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Cooperating; acting together to produce an effect.
Co′wb-a2′>′ef·fi′wb-a1′>′cient·ly, adverb
1. That which unites in action with something else to produce the same effect.
2. Mathematics 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 Mathematics, a literal coefficient placed arbitrarily in an algebraic expression, the value of the coefficient being afterwards determined by the conditions of the problem.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54