系数 (xì shù) — coefficient (in mathematics, physics, statistic…

Definition

noun

coefficient (in mathematics, physics, statistics, etc.)

Measure word · 个

系数。
Zhè ge xì shù shì zhèng shù.
This coefficient is a positive number.
系数。
Mó cā xì shù kě yǐ tōng guò shí yàn dé chū.
The coefficient of friction can be obtained through experiments.
系数。
Zhè ge xì shù de zhí shì líng diǎn bā.
The value of this coefficient is 0.8.

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.

系 links quantities and 数 is a number, naming the number that expresses their relation.

Characters in this word

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

系 is made by putting together 手 (hand) and 糸 (silk).

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.

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