因数 (yīn shù) — (mathematics) factor (an integer that divides a…

Definition

noun

(mathematics) factor (an integer that divides another integer exactly)

Measure word · 个

因数1、2、36。
Zhè ge shù de yīn shù shì 1, 2, 3 hé 6.
The factors of this number are 1, 2, 3, and 6.
因数因数。
Qiú liǎng gè shù de gōng yīn shù xū yào liè chū suǒ yǒu yīn shù.
Finding the common factors of two numbers requires listing all factors.
因数：1。
Zhì shù zhǐ yǒu liǎng gè yīn shù: 1 hé tā běn shēn.
A prime number has only two factors: 1 and itself.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

因数 is a 数 (number) that is an 因 (factor) in multiplication.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

囗大因

Originally, 因 showed 大 (a person) on 囗 (a sheet or mattress).

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 數; 数 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

攴攴pū

Sound part声符shēngfú

婁

婁lóu數shù(r)

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 數 pairs 攴, the meaning part, with 婁, the sound part; the simplified 数 is a shorthand.