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factor out

C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To take something out of the calculation or plan so you don't have to think about it separately.

Meanings

1 C1 neutral

(Mathematics) To extract a common factor from an algebraic expression.

"You can simplify the equation by factoring out the common term on both sides."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 neutral

To remove or exclude a variable, factor, or influence from an analysis or plan.

"If we factor out seasonal variation, the underlying trend becomes much clearer."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Has a precise mathematical meaning (to extract a common factor from an expression) and a broader analytical meaning (to eliminate a variable from consideration). The technical sense is more common in academic contexts; the general sense appears in business and analysis.

Commonly used with

noise variable bias cost expression common factor

Forms

Base
factor out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
factors out
he/she/it
Past simple
factored out
yesterday
Past participle
factored out
have + pp
-ing form
factoring out
continuous

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