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Glite Dictionary
scale factor

scale factor

5.1
A number that makes an object bigger or smaller by the same amount
  • noun
  • /skeɪl ˈfæktər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : factor de escala
  • It is very simply related to the behavior of the scale factor, OK.

When it propagates to us, we define our scale factor as one.

Examples

  • The crossover happens when the scale factor is equal to about.

  • That's how rho varies with scale factor constant being some constant.

  • If we can do that without changing the scale factor, then great.

  • The plans for her house use a scale factor in which 1/5 inch equals 1 foot.

    Academic text (2011)

  • And so here's and the universe has some scale factor at the present time.

  • I normally use quite a large scale factor like that and I'm happy to stick with the auto light dark theme settings.

  • In the previous work, 32, 47, scale factors in frequency calculations were found to have negligible influence on boron isotopic separation factors. Therefore, we didn't consider them in this work.

    Academic text (2018)

  • If the scale factor is 3, the length of each side will be tripled compared to the original figure.

  • When you use a scale factor of 1/2, the model will be half the size of the actual object.

  • To enlarge the drawing, set the scale factor to 2, which will double all the dimensions.

Synonyms

conversion factor
vsscale factor
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A number used to multiply an amount in one unit to get the same amount in another unit

multiplies every dimension to alter the object's total size
factor of proportionality
vsscale factor
  • Specialized
4.5

A number you multiply one amount by to get another amount that changes the same way

multiplies all dimensions to change an object's overall size

Surface Forms

scale factor singular
scale factors plural

Morphology

scale + factor

The meaning ('a number by which dimensions are multiplied') is directly derivable from combining 'scale' (to adjust dimensions) with 'factor' (a multiplying number); the compound simply names the multiplying value used for scaling. This is a transparent, compositional noun-noun phrase following common cross-linguistic patterns (e.g. Spanish 'factor de escala'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents and basic maths will understand it.

Etymology

Scale factor comes from the parts scale, a way to show size, and factor, a number you 'multiply' by. So, it is the number you use to change the size of every part of an object by the same amount.