dictionary help| factorial | computing dictionary |
<mathematics> The mathematical function that takes a natural number, N, and returns the product of N and all smaller positive integers. This is written
N! = N * (N-1) * (N-2) * ... * 1.
The factorial of zero is one because it is an empty product.
Factorial can be defined recursively as
0! = 1 N! = N * (N-1)! , N > 0
The gamma function is the equivalent for real numbers.
(01 Oct 2005)
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| factorial | medical dictionary |
1. Of or pertaining to a factory.
2. <mathematics> Related to factorials.
<mathematics> A name given to the factors of a continued product when the former are derivable from one and the same function F(x) by successively imparting a constant increment or decrement h to the independent variable. Thus the product F(x).F(x + h).F(x + 2h) . . . F[x + (n-1)h] is called a factorial term, and its several factors take the name of factorials.
The product of the consecutive numbers from unity up to any given number.
(01 Mar 1998)
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