coefficient
n. countablen. a number that shows how much of something is present in a mixture or formula. In math, it is the number placed before a variable to show its value.
n. a numerical factor that multiplies a variable in an algebraic expression or a physical quantity in a scientific formula. Typically used in technical and academic contexts.
In the term 5x, the number 5 is the coefficient.
The teacher asked us to identify the coefficient of y in the equation 3y + 2 = 10.
The coefficient of friction determines how much resistance exists between two surfaces in contact, influencing the force required to move an object.
From French coefficient. Coined by French mathematician François Viète. Or influenced by (New) Latin coefficient-, which is the stem of coefficiens, which is a substantivation of the present active participle of coefficio, which comes from co- and efficio.