decrease by a factor of ten

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decrease by a factor of ten" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts involving measurements, quantities, or values that are being reduced significantly, particularly in scientific or mathematical discussions. Example: "The population of the city is expected to decrease by a factor of ten over the next decade due to various economic factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

During training, the regularization parameter is increased or decreased by a factor of ten, depending on the decrease or increase of the MSE, respectively.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The contrast increased from 0.41 to 0.44 when the mean intensity was decreased by a factor of ten.

Biomedical Optics Express

At the same time, the study said, energy reliability would decrease by a factor of five, with reserve margins cut almost in half.

The New York Times

Assume that volume increases four-fold on black friday, and thus overhead costs decrease by a factor of four.

The Economist

Despite the homogeneity of the soil parent material in the watershed, long-term weathering rates decrease by a factor of two over a 260 m decrease in elevation.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

Sea floor spreading rates decrease by a factor of two from north to south [6].

Geochemical Transactions

But there is a significant decrease (by a factor of two) in the thickness of sputtered layer for WGs with higher oxygen content (10 and 20%).

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

The NH3 emissions from petrol cars have decreased by over a factor of three from the vehicles manufactured in the late 1990s compared with those manufactured in 2012.

Atmospheric Environment

This average decreases by a factor of two every week.

University of California, Berkeley

Early data shows that Pluto's atmosphere has decreased by a factor of two in about two years – an "astonishing" rate to shrink, Summers said.

The Guardian

Over the past 10 years, the SO2 loading over China decreased by a factor of five, from 0.89 DU in 2007 to 0.17 DU in 2016.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decrease by a factor of ten", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being measured and how the decrease is being calculated. Be specific about the units and the baseline from which the decrease is occurring.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "decrease by a factor of ten" is the same as a 10% decrease. A factor of ten implies a 90% decrease (reduction to one-tenth of the original value).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease by a factor of ten" functions as a quantitative descriptor, indicating a significant reduction in a measurable value. Ludwig's examples show its use in various scientific and technical contexts.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decrease by a factor of ten" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for indicating a significant reduction in a quantity. Although no direct examples were found, Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, especially in scientific and mathematical contexts. It's crucial to differentiate this phrase from a simple 10% decrease, as it implies a reduction to one-tenth of the original value. Alternatives like "reduce tenfold" or "drop by an order of magnitude" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce tenfold

Focuses on the mathematical operation of dividing by ten.

decline by a power of ten

Emphasizes the mathematical scale of the decrease.

drop by an order of magnitude

Uses a more technical term to describe a large decrease.

decrease to one-tenth of its original value

Specifies the resulting value after the decrease.

shrink by a factor of ten

Employs a more general term for reduction.

fall by a factor of ten

Uses a dynamic verb to describe the decrease.

lessen by a factor of ten

Employs a less common verb for reduction.

diminish by a factor of ten

Similar to lessen, but slightly more formal.

contract by a factor of ten

Suggests a decrease in size or volume.

plummet by a factor of ten

Suggests a rapid and dramatic decrease.

FAQs

How do I use "decrease by a factor of ten" in a sentence?

You can use "decrease by a factor of ten" to describe a significant reduction in a quantity. For example, "The concentration of the pollutant decreased by a factor of ten after the new regulations were implemented."

What's the difference between "decrease by a factor of ten" and a 10% decrease?

A "decrease by a factor of ten" means the quantity is reduced to one-tenth of its original value (a 90% decrease). A 10% decrease means the quantity is reduced by 10% of its original value, leaving 90% of the original amount.

What can I say instead of "decrease by a factor of ten"?

You can use alternatives like "reduce tenfold", "drop by an order of magnitude", or "decrease to one-tenth of its original value" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "decrease by ten times" instead of "decrease by a factor of ten"?

While "decrease by ten times" might be understood, it's less precise and can be ambiguous. "Decrease by a factor of ten" is generally preferred for clarity in scientific and technical writing. You could also say "reduce tenfold".