factor

fac|tor1 [ `fæktər ] noun count ***

1. ) one of the things that influence whether an event happens or the way that it happens:

We have tried to identify the factors that influence the age at which children leave school.

factor in: Public pressure was a factor in the administration's decision.

risk factor (=something that may cause something dangerous or harmful): Lack of exercise is also a risk factor for heart disease.

an important/major/key factor: Safety is the single most important factor in a car's design.

2. ) a measurement that shows how strong or large something is:

Use a sunscreen with a high protection factor.

3. ) TECHNICAL a number that you can divide a larger number by exactly:

2 and 3 are factors of 6.

a ) by a factor of something if something increases by a factor of 5, 10, 20, etc., it becomes 5, 10, 20, etc. times larger:

The volume of traffic has grown by a factor of four.

factor

fac|tor 2 [ `fæktər ] verb transitive TECHNICAL

to divide a number into factors

`factor in phrasal verb transitive

to include a particular amount or factor when you calculate something:

Total spending was virtually the same in real terms after factoring in inflation.

`factor ,into phrasal verb transitive

factor something into something to include a particular amount or factor when you calculate something

,factor `out phrasal verb transitive

to not include a particular amount or factor when you calculate something