multiplying by a factor of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "multiplying by a factor of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in mathematical or scientific contexts to describe the process of increasing or decreasing a quantity by a specific multiplier. Example: "To find the new value, we will be multiplying by a factor of 2."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Claire Tomalin suggests multiplying by a factor of 70 to gain a sense of what mid-19th-century pounds might be worth today.

The Guardian - Books

In the case of [radar], when we process this we end up multiplying by a factor of five.

BBC

In particular, urea values were converted to BUN by multiplying by a factor of 2.8.

BMJ Open

Scores for Depression, Anxiety and Stress are calculated by summing relevant item ratings and multiplying by a factor of two.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

A composite score was derived by adding the original scores and multiplying by a factor of 5, which results in a 100-point scale.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

For comparisons with other studies, the self-reported birth weights were converted from lb to kg by multiplying by a factor of 0.4545.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Sport

Count IV represents the number of instances in primordial state, multiplied by a factor of 0.001.

Nature

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

The New York Times - Arts

and needs to be multiplied by a factor of 1e7 to convert it to mM/ms.

Yale University

Count III reflects the number of those instances residing in a miniature/smaller-sized state, multiplied by a factor of 0.01.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "multiplying by a factor of", ensure the context clearly indicates what quantity is being multiplied and the purpose of the multiplication, providing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is overlooking the original value before applying the multiplication factor. Always explicitly state the initial quantity to avoid miscalculations and ensure accurate results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "multiplying by a factor of" functions as a modifier, indicating the mathematical operation being performed and the magnitude of change. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "multiplying by a factor of" is a versatile phrase used to precisely describe scaling operations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When using it, ensure the context clearly states the quantity being multiplied. While "increasing by a factor of" and "scaling by a factor of" offer similar meanings, "multiplying by a factor of" is the more general term. Remember to specify the initial quantity to avoid misunderstandings. The phrase demonstrates its utility in conveying magnitude changes, making it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasing by a factor of

Focuses on the growth or augmentation aspect rather than the general mathematical operation.

scaling by a factor of

Implies resizing or adjusting something proportionally.

growing by a factor of

Specifically suggests an increase or expansion in size or quantity.

amplified by a factor of

Indicates an increase in magnitude or intensity, often in technical contexts.

adjusted by a factor of

Highlights the act of making a correction or modification using a multiplier.

increased by a multiple of

Similar to "increasing by a factor of" but uses the term 'multiple'.

modified by a factor of

Implies alteration or change achieved through multiplication.

uprated by a factor of

Specifically means increasing the rating or value.

enhanced by a factor of

Indicates improvement or augmentation using a multiplier.

corrected by a factor of

Suggests rectifying an error or deviation using a proportional adjustment.

FAQs

What does "multiplying by a factor of" mean?

The phrase "multiplying by a factor of" indicates that a quantity is being scaled up or down by a specific number (the factor). For example, "multiplying by a factor of 2" doubles the quantity, while "multiplying by a factor of 0.5" halves it.

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

You can use it to describe a change in magnitude. For instance, "The company's profits increased by "growing by a factor of" three this year."

Is there a difference between "multiplying by a factor of" and "increasing by a factor of"?

While similar, "multiplying by a factor of" is a broader term for scaling a value, while "increasing by a factor of" specifically implies growth or augmentation. "Multiplying by a factor of" can also imply decreasing when the factor is less than one, "increasing by a factor of" can not.

What are some alternatives to "multiplying by a factor of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "scaling by a factor of", "increasing by a factor of", or "adjusted by a factor of".