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{{short description|Multiplicative factor in a mathematical expression}}
{{short description|Multiplicative factor in a mathematical expression}}
{{Other uses}}
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In [[mathematics]], a '''coefficient''' is a [[Factor (arithmetic)|multiplicative factor]] involved in some [[Summand|term]] of a [[polynomial]], a [[series (mathematics)|series]], or an [[expression (mathematics)|expression]]. It may be a number ([[dimensionless]]), in which case it is known as a '''numerical factor'''.<ref name=80000-1:2009>{{cite web|title=ISO 80000-1:2009|url=https://www.iso.org/standard/30669.html|publisher=[[International Organization for Standardization]]|access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref> It may also be a [[constant (mathematics)|constant]] with [[units of measurement]], in which it is known as a '''constant multiplier'''.<ref name=80000-1:2009/> In general, coefficients may be any [[mathematical expression|expression]] (including [[Variable (mathematics)|variables]] such as {{mvar|a}}, {{mvar|b}} and {{mvar|c}}).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weisstein |first=Eric W. |title=Coefficient |url=https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Coefficient.html |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=mathworld.wolfram.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=80000-1:2009/> When the combination of variables and constants is not necessarily involved in a [[product (mathematics)|product]], it may be called a ''[[parameter]]''.<ref name=80000-1:2009/>
In [[mathematics]], a '''coefficient''' is a [[Factor (arithmetic)|multiplicative factor]] involved in some [[Summand|term]] of a [[polynomial]], a [[series (mathematics)|series]], or any other type of [[expression (mathematics)|expression]]. It may be a [[Dimensionless quantity|number without units]], in which case it is known as a '''numerical factor'''.<ref name=80000-1:2009>{{cite web|title=ISO 80000-1:2009|url=https://www.iso.org/standard/30669.html|publisher=[[International Organization for Standardization]]|access-date=2019-09-15}}</ref> It may also be a [[constant (mathematics)|constant]] with [[units of measurement]], in which it is known as a '''constant multiplier'''.<ref name=80000-1:2009/> In general, coefficients may be any [[mathematical expression|expression]] (including [[Variable (mathematics)|variables]] such as {{mvar|a}}, {{mvar|b}} and {{mvar|c}}).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weisstein |first=Eric W. |title=Coefficient |url=https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Coefficient.html |access-date=2020-08-15 |website=mathworld.wolfram.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=80000-1:2009/> When the combination of variables and constants is not necessarily involved in a [[product (mathematics)|product]], it may be called a ''[[parameter]]''.<ref name=80000-1:2009/>

For example, the polynomial <math>2x^2-x+3</math> has coefficients 2, −1, and 3, and the powers of the variable <math>x</math> in the polynomial <math>ax^2+bx+c</math> have coefficient parameters <math>a</math>, <math>b</math>, and <math>c</math>.
For example, the polynomial <math>2x^2-x+3</math> has coefficients 2, −1, and 3, and the powers of the variable <math>x</math> in the polynomial <math>ax^2+bx+c</math> have coefficient parameters <math>a</math>, <math>b</math>, and <math>c</math>.


The {{vanchor|Constant coefficient|text='''constant coefficient'''}}, also known as '''constant term''' or simply '''constant''' is the quantity not attached to variables in an expression. For example, the constant coefficients of the expressions above are the number 3 and the parameter ''c'', respectively.
A {{vanchor|Constant coefficient|text='''constant coefficient'''}}, also known as '''constant term''' or simply '''constant''', is a quantity either implicitly attached to the [[zeroth power]] of a variable or not attached to other variables in an expression; for example, the constant coefficients of the expressions above are the number 3 and the parameter ''c'', involved in 3{{=}}''c''{{sdot}}''x''<sup>0</sup>.
The coefficient attached to the highest degree of the variable in a polynomial is referred to as the '''leading coefficient'''. For example, in the expressions above, the leading coefficients are 2 and ''a'', respectively.
The coefficient attached to the highest degree of the variable in a polynomial of one variable is referred to as the '''leading coefficient'''; for example, in the example expressions above, the leading coefficients are 2 and ''a'', respectively.


In the context of [[differential equation]]s, an equation can often be written as equating to zero a polynomial in the unknown functions and their derivatives. In this case, the coefficients of the differential equation are the coefficients of this polynomial, and are generally non-constant functions. A coefficient is a ''constant coefficient'' when it is a [[constant function]]. For avoiding confusion, the coefficient that is not attached to unknown functions and their derivative is generally called the ''constant term'' rather the constant coefficient. In particular, in a [[linear differential equation#Non-homogeneous equation with constant coefficients|linear differential equation with constant coefficient]], the constant term is generally not supposed to be a constant function.
In the context of [[differential equation]]s, these equations can often be written in terms of polynomials in one or more unknown functions and their derivatives. In such cases, the coefficients of the differential equation are the coefficients of this polynomial, and these may be non-constant functions. A coefficient is a ''constant coefficient'' when it is a [[constant function]]. For avoiding confusion, in this context a coefficient that is not attached to unknown functions or their derivatives is generally called a ''constant term'' rather than a constant coefficient. In particular, in a [[linear differential equation#Non-homogeneous equation with constant coefficients|linear differential equation with constant coefficient]], the constant coefficient term is generally not assumed to be a constant function.


== Terminology and definition ==
== Terminology and definition ==

Latest revision as of 19:13, 30 August 2024

In mathematics, a coefficient is a multiplicative factor involved in some term of a polynomial, a series, or any other type of expression. It may be a number without units, in which case it is known as a numerical factor.[1] It may also be a constant with units of measurement, in which it is known as a constant multiplier.[1] In general, coefficients may be any expression (including variables such as a, b and c).[2][1] When the combination of variables and constants is not necessarily involved in a product, it may be called a parameter.[1] For example, the polynomial has coefficients 2, −1, and 3, and the powers of the variable in the polynomial have coefficient parameters , , and .

A constant coefficient, also known as constant term or simply constant, is a quantity either implicitly attached to the zeroth power of a variable or not attached to other variables in an expression; for example, the constant coefficients of the expressions above are the number 3 and the parameter c, involved in 3=c ⋅ x0. The coefficient attached to the highest degree of the variable in a polynomial of one variable is referred to as the leading coefficient; for example, in the example expressions above, the leading coefficients are 2 and a, respectively.

In the context of differential equations, these equations can often be written in terms of polynomials in one or more unknown functions and their derivatives. In such cases, the coefficients of the differential equation are the coefficients of this polynomial, and these may be non-constant functions. A coefficient is a constant coefficient when it is a constant function. For avoiding confusion, in this context a coefficient that is not attached to unknown functions or their derivatives is generally called a constant term rather than a constant coefficient. In particular, in a linear differential equation with constant coefficient, the constant coefficient term is generally not assumed to be a constant function.

Terminology and definition

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In mathematics, a coefficient is a multiplicative factor in some term of a polynomial, a series, or any expression. For example, in the polynomial with variables and , the first two terms have the coefficients 7 and −3. The third term 1.5 is the constant coefficient. In the final term, the coefficient is 1 and is not explicitly written.

In many scenarios, coefficients are numbers (as is the case for each term of the previous example), although they could be parameters of the problem—or any expression in these parameters. In such a case, one must clearly distinguish between symbols representing variables and symbols representing parameters. Following René Descartes, the variables are often denoted by x, y, ..., and the parameters by a, b, c, ..., but this is not always the case. For example, if y is considered a parameter in the above expression, then the coefficient of x would be −3y, and the constant coefficient (with respect to x) would be 1.5 + y.

When one writes it is generally assumed that x is the only variable, and that a, b and c are parameters; thus the constant coefficient is c in this case.

Any polynomial in a single variable x can be written as for some nonnegative integer , where are the coefficients. This includes the possibility that some terms have coefficient 0; for example, in , the coefficient of is 0, and the term does not appear explicitly. For the largest such that (if any), is called the leading coefficient of the polynomial. For example, the leading coefficient of the polynomial is 4. This can be generalised to multivariate polynomials with respect to a monomial order, see Gröbner basis § Leading term, coefficient and monomial.

Linear algebra

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In linear algebra, a system of linear equations is frequently represented by its coefficient matrix. For example, the system of equations the associated coefficient matrix is Coefficient matrices are used in algorithms such as Gaussian elimination and Cramer's rule to find solutions to the system.

The leading entry (sometimes leading coefficient[citation needed]) of a row in a matrix is the first nonzero entry in that row. So, for example, in the matrix the leading coefficient of the first row is 1; that of the second row is 2; that of the third row is 4, while the last row does not have a leading coefficient.

Though coefficients are frequently viewed as constants in elementary algebra, they can also be viewed as variables as the context broadens. For example, the coordinates of a vector in a vector space with basis are the coefficients of the basis vectors in the expression

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "ISO 80000-1:2009". International Organization for Standardization. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  2. ^ Weisstein, Eric W. "Coefficient". mathworld.wolfram.com. Retrieved 2020-08-15.

Further reading

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  • Sabah Al-hadad and C.H. Scott (1979) College Algebra with Applications, page 42, Winthrop Publishers, Cambridge Massachusetts ISBN 0-87626-140-3 .
  • Gordon Fuller, Walter L Wilson, Henry C Miller, (1982) College Algebra, 5th edition, page 24, Brooks/Cole Publishing, Monterey California ISBN 0-534-01138-1 .