Co`ef*fi"cient (?), a.
Cooperating; acting together to produce an effect.
Co`ef*fi"cient*ly, adv.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.