Co`ef*fi"cient (?), a.
Coöperating; acting together to produce an
effect.
Co`ef*fi"cient*ly, adv.
Co`ef*fi"cient, n.
1. That which unites in action with
something else to produce the same effect.
2. [Cf. F. coefficient.] (Math.)
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 (Math.), a
literal coefficient placed arbitrarily in an algebraic
expression, the value of the coefficient being afterwards
determined by the conditions of the problem.
