factor

factor

1. Maths

a. one of two or more integers or polynomials whose product is a given integer or polynomial

b. an integer or polynomial that can be exactly divided into another integer or polynomial

2. Med any of several substances that participate in the clotting of blood

3. Law, Commerce a person who acts on another's behalf, esp one who transacts business for another

4. former name for a gene

5. Commercial law a person to whom goods are consigned for sale and who is paid a factorage

6. (in Scotland) the manager of an estate

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

factor

[′fak·tər]

(mathematics)

For an integer n, any integer which gives n when multiplied by another integer.

For a polynomial p, any polynomial which gives p when multiplied by another polynomial.

For a graph G, a spanning subgraph of G with at least one edge.

(statistics)

A quantity or a variable being studied in an experiment as a possible cause of variation.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

factor

A quantity which is multiplied by another quantity.

See also divisor.

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

factor

A number that divides evenly into another number. For example, 3 and 4 are factors of 12. See factorial and IFP.

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