The difference between Expand and Factor

When used as verbs, expand means to change (something) from a smaller form and/or size to a larger one, whereas factor means to find all the factors of (a number or other mathematical object) (the objects that divide it evenly).

Factor is also noun with the meaning: a doer, maker.

check bellow for the other definitions of Expand and Factor

  1. Expand as a verb (transitive):

    To change (something) from a smaller form and/or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.

    Examples:

    "You can expand this compact umbrella to cover a large table."

  2. Expand as a verb (transitive):

    To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).

    Examples:

    "A flower expands its leaves."

  3. Expand as a verb (transitive):

    To express (something) at length and/or in detail.

  4. Expand as a verb (transitive, algebra):

    To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent sum of terms.

    Examples:

    "Use the binomial theorem to expand (x+1)<sup>4</sup> to x<sup>4</sup> + 4x<sup>3</sup> + 6x<sup>2</sup> + 4x + 1."

  5. Expand as a verb (transitive, arithmetic):

    To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same natural number yielding a fraction of equal value

  6. Expand as a verb (intransitive):

    To change from a smaller form/size to a larger one.

    Examples:

    "Many materials expand when heated."

    "This compact umbrella expands to cover a large table."

  7. Expand as a verb (intransitive):

    To increase in extent, number, volume or scope.

  8. Expand as a verb (intransitive):

    To speak or write at length or in detail.

    Examples:

    "He expanded on his plans for the business."

  9. Expand as a verb (intransitive):

    To feel generous or optimistic.

  1. Factor as a noun (obsolete):

    A doer, maker; a person who does things for another person or organization.

    Examples:

    "The factor of the trading post bought the furs."

  2. Factor as a noun (now, _, rare):

    An agent or representative.

    Examples:

    "w Christopher Marlowe"

    "'1985 [[w:Haynes Owners Workshop ManuaHaynes Owners Workshop Manual]], BMW"

  3. Factor as a noun (legal):

    A commission agent. A person or business organization that provides money for another's new business venture; one who finances another's business. A business organization that lends money on accounts receivable or buys and collects accounts receivable.

  4. Factor as a noun:

    One of the elements, circumstances, or influences which contribute to produce a result.

    Examples:

    "The greatest factor in the decision was the need for public transportation."

    "The economy was a factor in this year's budget figures."

  5. Factor as a noun (mathematics):

    Any of various objects multiplied together to form some whole.

    Examples:

    "3 is a factor of 12, as are 2, 4 and 6."

    "The factors of the Klein four-group are both cyclic of order 2."

  6. Factor as a noun (root cause analysis):

    Influence; a phenomenon that affects the nature, the magnitude, and/or the timing of a consequence.

    Examples:

    "The launch temperature was a factor of the Challenger disaster."

  7. Factor as a noun (economics):

    A resource used in the production of goods or services, a factor of production.

  8. Factor as a noun (Scotland):

    A steward or bailiff of an estate.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Sir Walter Scott"

  1. Factor as a verb (transitive):

    To find all the factors of (a number or other mathematical object) (the objects that divide it evenly).

  2. Factor as a verb (of a number or other mathematical object, intransitive):

    To be a product of other objects.

  3. Factor as a verb (commercial, transitive):

    To sell a debt or debts to an agent (the factor) to collect.

Compare words:

Compare with synonyms and related words: