increased by a factor of three

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increased by a factor of three" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a quantitative change, indicating that a value has tripled in size or amount. Example: "The population of the city increased by a factor of three over the last decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The finesse has increased by a factor of three compared to a single knot providing a sharper roll-off.

Optics & Laser Technology

Steady state was not reached even though the average particle radius increased by a factor of three during the experiment.

Acta Materialia

Simulations show that required input powers are reduced by 50% and the maximum output powers are increased by a factor of three, when compared with equivalent systems.

Optics Communications

Coupled with the fact that, as in 1906, Peary's speeds and distances miraculously increased by a factor of three or more only when he had parted company from those who had the knowledge to make their own positional calculations (like Robert Bartlett), returning to normality precisely when Peary rejoined them, the evidence is as damning as it needs to be.

The New York Times - Books

As has been argued by economists across the EU, to make a significant impact on the European Union economies it should be increased by a factor of three or four and directed more specifically to overcoming the mounting obstacles in the way of sustainable growth and jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Previously, Koole et al. speculated that if brain uptake of 18F amyloid ligand increased by a factor of three, this will only influence estimation of the effective dose within 1%; however, when the subject had taken medication that changed the function of the hepatic metabolism, the estimated effective dose will vary with a larger range [10].

EJNMMI Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Nationally, shale-gas production has increased by a factor of twelve in the past ten years.

The New Yorker

When the last weight is removed, the volume has increased by a factor of four.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Since the president took office, wind energy production has tripled and solar energy has increased by a factor of ten.

The New York Times

Between the turn of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first, they wrote, annual waste production increased by a factor of ten.

The New Yorker

The only land usage that has increased – by a factor of four since 1984 – is of "uncropped agricultural land" or, more prosaically, farmland that isn't being farmed.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increased by a factor of three", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured and what the initial value was for accurate interpretation. For clarity, consider providing both the initial and final values.

Common error

Avoid assuming "increased by a factor of three" is equivalent to a 3% increase. It signifies a tripling, or a 300% increase, not a minor adjustment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increased by a factor of three" functions as a quantitative descriptor, specifying the magnitude of an increase. It modifies a noun or verb phrase, indicating that the quantity in question has tripled. Ludwig AI confirms that is perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increased by a factor of three" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that precisely quantifies a threefold increase. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various domains, predominantly in science and news media. While alternatives like "tripled" exist, "increased by a factor of three" maintains a level of precision suited for technical and formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in specifying the measured quantity to avoid misinterpretations. Be aware that while the phrase is common and correct, "increased by three times" is not always correct and has high chances of being misleading.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tripled

Simple verb indicating a threefold increase.

increased threefold

Adverbial phrase indicating a threefold increase.

multiplied by three

Explicitly states the multiplication factor.

grew three times larger

Emphasizes the size increase.

expanded by 300 percent

Expresses the increase as a percentage.

saw a 3x increase

Uses mathematical notation for brevity.

experienced a threefold rise

Uses "rise" to indicate an increase.

became three times as much

Focuses on the final quantity.

amplified by a factor of three

Uses "amplified" for a more dramatic effect.

scaled up by a factor of three

Suggests a deliberate or proportional increase.

FAQs

How can I use "increased by a factor of three" in a sentence?

You can use "increased by a factor of three" to describe something that has tripled in quantity or size. For example, "The company's profits "increased by a factor of three" after the new marketing campaign".

What's the difference between "increased by a factor of three" and "increased by three times"?

"Increased by a factor of three" means the final value is three times the initial value. "Increased by three times" is similar to increased threefold. The phrase "increased by three times" can sometimes be misunderstood as quadrupling or as a 3% increase, so it is a less clear expression.

Is it better to say "tripled" or "increased by a factor of three"?

Both "tripled" and "increased by a factor of three" are correct. "Tripled" is more concise. However, "increased by a factor of three" may be preferred in technical or scientific writing for its precision.

What are some alternatives to saying "increased by a factor of three"?

You can use alternatives like "tripled", "increased threefold", or "multiplied by three" depending on the context.