LITERAL COEFFICIENT
\lˈɪtəɹə͡l kˌə͡ʊɪfˈɪʃənt], \lˈɪtəɹəl kˌəʊɪfˈɪʃənt], \l_ˈɪ_t_ə_ɹ_əl k_ˌəʊ_ɪ_f_ˈɪ_ʃ_ə_n_t]\
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[L.] The number prefixed to an algebraical symbol to show how many times the number denoted by that symbol is to be taken. Thus, if x denotes any number, known or unknown, 10x signifies a number that is ten times x, and 10 is said to be the coefficient of x in the expression 10x. A coefficient is not necessarily a whole number; it may be a fractional or incommensurable number, or even a number which is a combination of algebraical symbols, so that there are literal coefficients as well as numerical coefficients.
By Henry Percy Smith
Word of the day
Platidiam
- An inorganic water-soluble platinum complex. After undergoing hydrolysis, it reacts DNA produce both intra interstrand crosslinks. These crosslinks appear to impair replication and transcription of DNA. The cytotoxicity cisplatin correlates with cellular arrest in G2 phase cell cycle.