We understand by factors those elements that can condition a situation, becoming the cause of the evolution or transformation of the facts. A factor is what contributes to obtaining certain results as the responsibility for variation or changes falls on it. In addition, the term factor is used in mathematics to refer to the different terms of a multiplication, with factoring being the application of these operations.
There are many different meanings for the term factor and while some of them apply to different sciences (both in mathematics and biology or statistics), others apply to language, social studies, etc. Typically, at its most generic, the term factor means the item that is intended to generate results.
The existence of a factor of change or action can occur spontaneously or not, voluntarily or involuntarily, in a measurable way or not. For example, it is known that the factor that causes water to boil is the increase in temperature. But when an accident or unforeseen situation occurs, the factors that have caused it may not be entirely understandable, measurable or worthy of prevention by man.
For mathematics, the factoring process is dividing a number into smaller objects or sections called factors. For example, in this sense, terms such as two-fourths, three-eighths, five-fifths and other examples that refer to the partition of a whole into several smaller elements are used. For example, a slice of cake can contain eight servings or eighths. The factoring process is one of the most important and central elements of arithmetic.
Finally, the term factor can also be applied to production (elements that allow the addition of value), to computer programming and to other disciplines in a specific way.
