multiply by a factor of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "multiply by a factor of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in mathematical or scientific contexts to describe the action of increasing a quantity by a specific multiplier. Example: "To find the new price, you need to multiply the original price by a factor of 1.2."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That figure is expected to multiply by a factor of 10.

The New York Times - Arts

"There are 235,000 new homes built in Canada every year," Dr. Bartlett said, "and for the United States we usually multiply by a factor of 10.

The New York Times

We multiply by a factor of one half because the first phase only occupies half of the total transmission time.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

These findings are correlated with the recommendation of the European collaborative project Optimization of Radiation Protection for Medical Staff (ORAMED) to multiply by a factor of 6 the reading of the TLD when placed on the palm side of the P1 position of the non-dominant hand in order to estimate the maximum local skin dose [6].

EJNMMI Physics

From the information obtained about the estimated mental age and chronological age of the children, 'ratio IQ' score was calculated for each child using a ratio of culture-specific estimated mental age and chronological age multiply by a factor of 100.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

These losses have multiplied by a factor of 10 since then.

The Guardian - Sport

But if this turns out to be false, Dr. Ferguson said, and the entire population is at risk, the worst case numbers would have to be multiplied by a factor of 2.5.

The New York Times - Health

Now a preliminary analysis by a group of scientists, including the Dutch weather agency and the University of Oxford, has concluded the risk of the flooding event in Paris was almost doubled – multiplied by a factor of 1.8 – by humanity's influence on the climate.

The Guardian

Perhaps it is these staggering vistas of devastation (think of John Hillcoat's The Road multiplied by a factor of 10) which lend such philosophical weight to a project which is nevertheless still defined by the director's trademark anarchic excess; at times you really want him to back off and just play a straight bat, although to do so would be grossly uncharacteristic.

The Guardian - Film

Thiosulfate concentrations were multiplied by a factor of two in order to calculate sulfur concentrations.

Geochemical Transactions

Local Hall and Pedersen conductivities are multiplied by a factor of 104.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "multiply by a factor of", ensure the context clearly defines what is being multiplied and the significance of the resulting quantity.

Common error

Avoid applying the multiplication factor to an incorrect base value. Always double-check that you're multiplying the intended initial quantity to obtain an accurate result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "multiply by a factor of" functions as a prepositional phrase that quantifies the scaling or increase of a numerical value. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate usage in scientific and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "multiply by a factor of" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating proportional increase, as validated by Ludwig. It's most common in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, requiring precision in quantitative descriptions. While alternatives such as "increase by a multiple of" exist, it's important to maintain clarity about the base value being multiplied. Ludwig examples showcase real-world application of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase by a multiple of

This alternative focuses on the resulting quantity being a multiple, emphasizing the final amount rather than the process of multiplication.

scale up by a factor of

This alternative uses the term "scale up", which is common in contexts where a proportional increase is applied to all dimensions or aspects of something.

amplify by a factor of

This phrase is best suited when the increase is related to signal strength, power, or intensity, often used in electronics or data analysis.

magnify by a factor of

This is most appropriate when discussing visual enlargement or making something appear larger, like with a microscope or telescope.

grow by a factor of

This alternative emphasizes the growth or expansion of something over time, rather than a one-time multiplication.

expand by a factor of

Similar to "grow", this suggests an increase in size or scope, but can also apply to abstract concepts.

inflate by a factor of

This is typically used when referring to an artificial or disproportionate increase, often in economic or statistical contexts.

boost by a factor of

This phrase implies a sudden or significant increase, often as a result of a specific action or intervention.

augment by a factor of

This suggests adding to something to increase its size or value, often in a systematic or controlled manner.

step up by a factor of

This implies an incremental increase to a higher level or stage.

FAQs

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

Use "multiply by a factor of" to describe how a quantity increases. For instance, "The company's profits "increased by a factor of" three this year."

What phrases are similar to "multiply by a factor of"?

Similar phrases include "increase by a multiple of", "scale up by a factor of", or "grow by a factor of", all indicating an increase in quantity.

Is it correct to say "increased by a factor of" instead of "multiply by a factor of"?

Yes, "increased by a factor of" is a valid alternative. It emphasizes the resulting increase rather than the mathematical operation itself. The phrase "grow by a factor of" is another related alternative.

What's the difference between "multiply by a factor of" and "add to"?

"Multiply by a factor of" indicates a proportional increase, while "add to" simply increases a quantity by a fixed amount. If you "multiply by a factor of" 2, the new amount is twice the original. If you "add to" the original value, the increment is constant.