Art of Problem Solving

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In [[mathematics]], a '''coefficient''' is a [[constant]] multiplicative [[factor]] of a certain object. The object can be a [[variable]], a [[vector]], a [[function]], etc. For example, the coefficient of 5a is 5.
In [[mathematics]], a '''coefficient''' is a [[constant]] multiplicative [[factor]] of a specified object. The object can be a [[variable]], a [[vector]], a [[function]], or anything else that might be subject to multiplication.
 
For example, the coefficient of <math>a</math> in the [[expression]] <math>5a + b</math> is 5.  Note that it is important that we specify what we are looking at the coefficients of: 5 also has a coefficient in <math>5a + b</math>, namely <math>a</math>.
 
Coefficients come up most frequently in a discussion of [[polynomial]]s.


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Linear algebra]]
* [[Linear algebra]]
* The [[degree]] of a [[polynomial]].
* [[Binomial coefficient]]s
* [[Binomial coefficient]]s
* [[Binomial theorem]]
* [[Binomial theorem]]
* [[Pascal's triangle]]


[[Category:Definition]]
[[Category:Definition]]

Revision as of 17:48, 4 November 2006

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In mathematics, a coefficient is a constant multiplicative factor of a specified object. The object can be a variable, a vector, a function, or anything else that might be subject to multiplication.

For example, the coefficient of $a$ in the expression $5a + b$ is 5. Note that it is important that we specify what we are looking at the coefficients of: 5 also has a coefficient in $5a + b$, namely $a$.

Coefficients come up most frequently in a discussion of polynomials.

See Also