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Factor

''Factor'' may refer to: For other uses, including in science, named entities, and arts, see the relevant sections below.

Mathematics

In arithmetic and number theory

In number theory, a factor of an integer n, also known as a divisor, is an integer d such that n is evenly divisible by d, meaning n/d is an integer. Typically, only positive divisors are considered for positive integers, though negative factors exist symmetrically. For instance, the positive factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12, as each divides 12 without remainder.^[1]^[2] Prime factors are the prime numbers among these divisors that, when multiplied together, yield the original integer. The fundamental theorem of arithmetic, also called the unique factorization theorem, asserts that every integer greater than 1 can be expressed as a product of prime numbers in exactly one way, disregarding the order of factors. This uniqueness underpins much of number theory, ensuring that decompositions like $12 = 2^2 \times 3 are canonical. The theorem's proof relies on the properties of primes and divisibility, building on earlier results in Euclidean geometry.^[3] Factorization involves breaking down an integer into its prime factors, often using trial division: systematically test potential divisors starting from 2 up to the square root of n, dividing out each prime factor found. For example, to factor 315, divide by 2 (no), then 3 (315 ÷ 3 = 105), again by 3 (105 ÷ 3 = 35), then 5 (35 ÷ 5 = 7), with 7 prime, yielding $315 = 3^2 \times 5 \times 7. A related concept is the greatest common divisor (GCD) of two integers a and b, the largest positive integer dividing both without remainder, computed efficiently via the Euclidean algorithm: replace the larger number by the remainder of dividing it by the smaller, repeating until the remainder is zero; the last non-zero remainder is the GCD. This algorithm, dating to ancient times, enables applications like simplifying fractions by dividing numerator and denominator by their GCD—for 12/18, GCD(12,18)=6 yields $12 \div 6 = 2 and $18 \div 6 = 3, so $2/3.^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7] The foundations of factors and divisibility trace to ancient Greek mathematics, particularly Euclid's Elements (circa 300 BCE), where Book VII explores divisors, common measures, and proportions among integers, laying groundwork for the Euclidean algorithm in Propositions 1–3. Euclid's treatment marked a shift toward rigorous proofs of divisibility properties, influencing later developments in number theory.^[8]^[9]

In algebra

In algebra, factoring involves decomposing an algebraic expression into a product of simpler expressions, often to simplify equations or identify roots. Common techniques include recognizing patterns such as the difference of squares, where a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b) for any algebraic terms a and b, allowing immediate factorization without further computation.^[10] Similarly, the sum of cubes factors as a^3 + b^3 = (a + b)(a^2 - ab + b^2), and the difference of cubes as a^3 - b^3 = (a - b)(a^2 + ab + b^2), which are useful for trinomials derived from these forms.^[11] These identities stem from the distributive property and enable the resolution of more complex expressions by reversing multiplication. For polynomials, factorization over the integers or a field like the rationals or reals typically begins by identifying linear factors corresponding to roots. The factor theorem states that if f(a) = 0 for a polynomial f(x) with coefficients in a field, then (x - a) is a factor of f(x), allowing synthetic division to reduce the degree.^[12] To locate possible rational roots, the rational root theorem posits that any rational root p/q (in lowest terms) of a polynomial with integer coefficients has p dividing the constant term and q dividing the leading coefficient, narrowing candidates for testing.^[13] For instance, the quadratic x^2 + 5x + 6 factors as (x + 2)(x + 3) over the reals, since roots -2 and -3 satisfy the theorem and yield f(-2) = f(-3) = 0. However, polynomials like x^2 + 1 are irreducible over the reals, as they have no real roots and cannot factor into linear terms with real coefficients.^[14] Factoring polynomials finds direct application in solving quadratic equations, where expressing ax^2 + bx + c = 0 as a(x - r)(x - s) = 0 reveals roots r and s via the zero-product property. This approach underpins methods like completing the square, which rewrites the quadratic to factor as a difference of squares, and informs the quadratic formula x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}, derived by factoring after substitution.^[15] Such techniques extend to higher-degree equations, facilitating root isolation and partial fraction decomposition in rational functions.

In statistics

In statistics, factor analysis is a multivariate statistical technique used to identify underlying latent factors that account for observed correlations among a set of variables, thereby reducing data dimensionality while preserving essential information.^[16] Introduced by Charles Spearman in his 1904 study on human abilities, it posits that variations in observed variables can be explained by a smaller number of unobserved factors, such as a general intelligence factor ("g") influencing diverse cognitive tasks.^[17] This method differs from principal component analysis (PCA), which focuses on maximizing variance explained by orthogonal components derived from all observed variance, whereas factor analysis models only the shared (common) variance among variables to infer latent constructs.^[18] Factor analysis encompasses two primary types: exploratory factor analysis (EFA), which is data-driven and aims to uncover the latent structure without preconceived hypotheses, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), which tests a specified model against data to validate theoretical assumptions.^[19] EFA is typically employed in early research stages to discover patterns, such as grouping related survey items into broader constructs, while CFA, formalized by Karl Jöreskog in 1969, uses structural equation modeling to assess model fit through parameters like factor loadings and covariances.^[16] The mathematical foundation of factor analysis rests on the linear model for observed variables \mathbf{X}, expressed as:

\mathbf{X} = \boldsymbol{\Lambda} \mathbf{F} + \boldsymbol{\varepsilon}

where \mathbf{X} is a vector of p observed variables, \boldsymbol{\Lambda} is a p \times k matrix of factor loadings representing the relationships between variables and k latent factors \mathbf{F} (assumed to have mean zero and variance-covariance matrix \boldsymbol{\Phi}), and \boldsymbol{\varepsilon} is a vector of unique errors with diagonal covariance matrix \boldsymbol{\Psi} (assuming uncorrelated errors).^[16] Estimation often proceeds via maximum likelihood, assuming multivariate normality, to derive loadings that reproduce the observed correlation matrix. To enhance interpretability, initial factor solutions are rotated, with orthogonal methods like varimax—proposed by Henry Kaiser in 1958—maximizing the variance of squared loadings per factor to produce "simple structure" where variables load highly on one factor and near zero on others.^[20] The number of factors retained is determined by criteria such as eigenvalues greater than 1 (Kaiser rule) or visual inspection of scree plots, which graph eigenvalues in descending order to identify an "elbow" point beyond which additional factors explain minimal variance, as introduced by Raymond Cattell in 1966.^[21] Applications of factor analysis are prominent in psychology, where it underpins models like the Big Five personality traits (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism), derived from EFA of lexical and questionnaire data by researchers including Paul Costa and Robert McCrae in the 1990s.^[22] In economics, it identifies latent market influences, such as common macroeconomic drivers behind sector correlations, facilitating approximate factor models for forecasting and policy analysis.^[23]

Science and technology

In biology and medicine

In biology and medicine, the term "factor" commonly refers to specific proteins that regulate essential cellular and physiological processes, such as growth, clotting, and gene expression. These factors act as signaling molecules or enzymes, often binding to receptors or substrates to initiate cascades that maintain homeostasis or respond to injury and disease. Their dysregulation is implicated in conditions ranging from developmental disorders to cancer and inflammatory diseases. Growth factors are a class of proteins that stimulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival, playing pivotal roles in tissue development and repair. For instance, epidermal growth factor (EGF) binds to the EGF receptor (EGFR) on cell surfaces, activating signaling pathways like MAPK/ERK that promote epithelial cell proliferation and wound healing.^[24] Similarly, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), particularly IGF-1, mediate anabolic effects on metabolism by enhancing glucose uptake, protein synthesis, and lipid metabolism through the IGF-1 receptor, which shares structural homology with the insulin receptor.^[25] These factors are produced in response to hormonal signals, such as growth hormone, and their levels influence overall organismal growth and metabolic balance. Coagulation factors are circulating proteins essential for hemostasis, forming a complex enzymatic cascade that converts soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin to form blood clots. The cascade comprises two main initiation pathways: the extrinsic pathway, triggered by tissue factor exposure upon vascular injury and involving factor VII; and the intrinsic pathway, activated by contact with negatively charged surfaces and involving factors XII, XI, IX, and VIII, which converge at factor X activation to amplify thrombin generation.^[26] Factor VIII acts as a cofactor in the intrinsic pathway, enhancing factor IXa's proteolytic activity; its deficiency leads to hemophilia A, a severe bleeding disorder characterized by prolonged clotting times. Factor VIII was first isolated from plasma in 1937 by Patek and Taylor, enabling early diagnostic and therapeutic advances.^[27] Likewise, factor IX deficiency causes hemophilia B, with factor IX serving as a serine protease in the intrinsic pathway to activate factor X.^[28] Transcription factors are nuclear proteins that control gene expression by binding to specific DNA sequences, thereby modulating transcription rates in response to cellular signals. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a prototypical transcription factor family that regulates genes involved in inflammation, immunity, and cell survival; upon activation by stimuli like cytokines or pathogens, NF-κB translocates to the nucleus and induces pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α.^[29] This regulation is critical for innate immune responses but can contribute to chronic inflammation if dysregulated. Specific examples illustrate the diverse functions of these factors. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), released from platelets and macrophages during injury, promotes fibroblast proliferation, extracellular matrix synthesis, and angiogenesis, thereby accelerating wound healing phases from inflammation to tissue remodeling.^[30] Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), primarily produced by macrophages, acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine that coordinates immune cell recruitment and apoptosis, essential for controlling infections but implicated in pathologies like rheumatoid arthritis when overproduced.^[31] Medical applications of these factors have transformed treatment paradigms, particularly for coagulation disorders. Recombinant factor VIII, produced via genetic engineering in mammalian cells to mimic the native protein, is administered prophylactically or on-demand to hemophilia A patients, achieving hemostasis in over 90% of bleeding episodes and drastically reducing transmission of blood-borne pathogens compared to plasma-derived products; it was first approved for clinical use in 1992 following pivotal trials.^[32] Recombinant factor IX similarly treats hemophilia B, extending half-life and dosing intervals through fusion protein technologies, as demonstrated in phase 3 studies showing effective bleeding prevention with fewer infusions.^[33] These therapies underscore the shift toward safer, bioengineered biologics in managing factor deficiencies. As of 2025, gene therapies have emerged as transformative options; for example, valoctocogene roxaparvovec (Roctavian) was approved by the FDA in 2023 for severe hemophilia A, enabling sustained factor VIII expression and reducing annualized bleeding rates by over 80% in trials, while etranacogene dezaparvovec (Hemgenix) was approved in 2022 for hemophilia B. However, challenges including limited durability, high costs, and manufacturing halts (e.g., Pfizer's Beqvez discontinued in February 2025) persist.^[34]^[35]

In computing and information technology

In computing, the integer factorization problem involves decomposing a composite number into its prime factors, a task central to cryptographic systems due to its computational hardness for large numbers. The RSA cryptosystem, widely used for secure data transmission, bases its security on the difficulty of factoring the product of two large prime numbers (semiprimes), where even state-of-the-art classical algorithms struggle with numbers exceeding 2048 bits.^[36] This hardness underpins public-key encryption, as factoring such semiprimes would allow decryption without the private key, though no efficient general algorithm exists on classical computers.^[37] Various algorithms address integer factorization, balancing speed and practicality for different number sizes. Pollard's rho algorithm, introduced in 1975, is a probabilistic method particularly effective for finding small prime factors of large composites by simulating a random walk in the multiplicative group modulo the number, detecting cycles via Floyd's tortoise-and-hare technique to compute a non-trivial gcd.^[38] For example, trial division can factor 91 as 7 × 13 by checking divisibility up to its square root, illustrating a basic approach for small numbers, while Pollard's rho scales better for larger ones with modest factors.^[39] However, as of 2025, advances in quantum computing, such as implementations of Shor's algorithm, pose escalating threats to RSA by enabling efficient factorization on sufficiently large quantum systems, prompting migrations to post-quantum cryptography. In machine learning, factorization techniques model complex interactions efficiently, notably through factorization machines (FMs), which extend linear models by incorporating low-rank approximations of feature interactions. Introduced in 2010, FMs represent pairwise interactions between variables using factorized parameters, reducing dimensionality from O(n²) to O(nk) where k is the embedding dimension, making them suitable for sparse data in recommendation systems.^[40] For instance, in collaborative filtering, FMs predict user-item preferences by learning latent factors that capture user and item similarities, outperforming matrix factorization on datasets with side information like user demographics.^[41] The term "Factor" also denotes a concatenative, stack-based programming language designed for practicality and expressiveness, inspired by Forth but incorporating modern features like garbage collection and dynamic typing. Developed by Slava Pestov and released open-source in 2003, Factor uses a reverse Polish notation syntax where words (functions) manipulate data on an implicit stack, enabling terse code for tasks like systems programming and scripting.^[42] Its ecosystem includes libraries for concurrency, UI development, and numerics, with ongoing maintenance emphasizing performance on multiple platforms via a bootstrapping compiler written in itself.^[42] Data structures leveraging prime factorization enhance computational efficiency in areas like hashing and compression. Prime factor trees organize the decomposition of a number into a binary tree, where each node represents a factor and branches divide the remainder, facilitating divide-and-conquer strategies for repeated factorizations in algorithms.^[43] In hashing, such trees support collision-resistant functions by incorporating prime factors into polynomial rolling hashes, reducing false positives in string matching or dictionary lookups.^[44] For compression, prime factorization aids in entropy encoding schemes, like arithmetic coding variants, by representing data streams as products of primes to achieve lossless reduction without exhaustive enumeration.^[45]

Other uses in science and technology

In engineering, the safety factor, also known as the factor of safety, is defined as the ratio of the strength of a structure or component to the maximum load it is expected to experience under normal operating conditions. This measure ensures structural integrity by providing a margin against failure due to uncertainties in material properties, loading, or design assumptions; for instance, bridges often employ a safety factor of 1.5 to 2.0 to account for dynamic loads like traffic and wind. In aviation, the load factor represents the ratio of the total aerodynamic force acting on an aircraft to its weight, typically ranging from 1g in level flight to higher values during maneuvers, and is critical for assessing structural limits to prevent overstressing. In physics, the form factor refers to a geometric integral that quantifies the angular distribution of radiation emitted from a source, such as in the calculation of view factors for heat transfer between surfaces. This concept is essential in radiative heat transfer models, where the form factor F_{12} between two surfaces is given by the double integral over their geometries to determine the fraction of radiation leaving one surface that reaches the other. In electronics, form factor describes standardized physical dimensions and layouts for components, such as the ATX specification for computer motherboards, which defines dimensions like 12 inches by 9.6 inches to ensure compatibility with cases and power supplies. The conversion factor, particularly the F-factor in radiology, is a calibration constant used to convert air kerma (a measure of radiation energy) to absorbed dose in air, typically expressed in units of Gy/R (grays per roentgen), with a standard value around 0.00873 Gy/R for cobalt-60 gamma rays. This factor is vital for dosimetry in medical imaging and radiation therapy, enabling accurate dose calculations for patient safety and treatment planning. In fluid dynamics, the drag factor, more precisely termed the drag coefficient C_d, is a dimensionless parameter in the drag force equation F_d = \frac{1}{2} \rho v^2 C_d A, where \rho is fluid density, v is velocity, and A is the reference area. It quantifies the resistance experienced by an object moving through a fluid, with typical values ranging from 0.2 for streamlined shapes like airfoils to over 1.0 for bluff bodies like spheres, influencing designs in aerodynamics and hydrodynamics. In ecology, environmental factors encompass abiotic elements such as temperature, light, and nutrients that influence organism distribution and population dynamics, often governed by Liebig's law of the minimum, which posits that population growth is limited by the scarcest essential resource rather than the total resources available. This principle, originally applied to plant nutrition, underscores how factors like soil pH or water availability act as bottlenecks in ecosystems, shaping biodiversity and agricultural productivity.

Commerce and finance

As a commercial agent

In commerce, a factor is defined as a mercantile agent who receives goods for sale on consignment, taking physical possession of the chattels or documents of title and assuming responsibility for selling them at the best obtainable price on behalf of the principal.^[46] This role distinguishes the factor from a mere broker, as the factor acts with broader authority, including the power to handle transactions involving personal property and to extend credit.^[47] The term "factor" originates from the Latin facere, meaning "to do" or "to make," evolving through Medieval Latin and Old French to denote a commercial agent or deputy who transacts business for another.^[48] Historically, factors played a prominent role in 18th- and 19th-century trade, particularly in facilitating exports from agricultural regions; for instance, in the American colonies, factors in London received tobacco shipments from Virginia planters, sold the crops, and remitted proceeds while supplying manufactured goods in return, often advancing funds against future harvests.^[49] This system was essential to transatlantic commerce, enabling planters to manage cash flow in seasonal industries like tobacco and cotton.^[50] Legally, factors hold a possessory lien on the consigned goods to secure advances made to the principal or commissions owed, allowing retention of the property until payment.^[51] In the United States, these arrangements are governed by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which modernizes and standardizes secured transactions, including factors' liens, by addressing attachment, perfection, and priority of security interests in personal property.^[52] In Scotland, the term "factor" also refers to an estate manager or trustee appointed to superintend properties, with a "judicial factor" specifically designated by the court to administer and protect assets, such as in cases of insolvent estates where the owner cannot manage them effectively.^[53] Judicial factors, often accountants or solicitors, must prepare management plans and mediate disputes among interested parties to benefit the estate.^[54] The traditional role of factors as commission merchants declined in the late 19th century with the rise of commodity exchanges, industrial capital, and advancements in transportation and communication, which enabled direct sales and reduced reliance on intermediaries.^[50] Nonetheless, the practice persists in specialized sectors like commodities trading, where factors continue to handle consignment sales and financing in seasonal or international markets.^[55]

In financial practices

In financial practices, factoring refers to the process of selling accounts receivable (invoices) to a third-party factor at a discount to obtain immediate cash flow, enabling businesses to convert unpaid invoices into liquidity without waiting for customer payments. This method, also known as invoice factoring, typically provides an advance of 80-90% of the invoice value upon approval, with the remainder paid after collection minus fees.^[56]^[57] Factoring arrangements vary by risk allocation and timing. In recourse factoring, the seller remains liable for non-payment if the debtor defaults, allowing the factor to seek repayment from the seller. Non-recourse factoring shifts the credit risk to the factor, who absorbs losses from non-payment, often at a higher fee due to the assumed risk. Maturity factoring, another variant, involves the factor advancing funds but remitting payment to the seller only when the invoice reaches its due date, typically without assuming collection responsibility.^[58]^[59]^[60] The factoring process begins with the seller submitting invoices to the factor for verification, including checks on the debtor's creditworthiness and invoice validity. Upon approval, the factor advances the agreed percentage of funds, often within 24-48 hours, and assumes collection duties by notifying debtors of the assignment. The factor collects payments directly and deducts fees—typically 1-5% of the invoice value, calculated monthly or per invoice—before releasing the reserve to the seller. Discount rates in these transactions draw from basic mathematical principles of present value, adjusting for time and risk.^[61]^[62]^[63] For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), factoring enhances liquidity by providing quick access to working capital for operations, payroll, or growth, particularly when traditional bank loans are inaccessible due to limited collateral. However, it carries risks such as higher costs compared to loans—factoring fees can exceed 20-30% annualized—and potential strain on customer relationships from factor involvement in collections. The global factoring market reached approximately $4.5 trillion in 2024, underscoring its scale in supporting business finance.^[64]^[65]^[66]^[67] Factoring is regulated to ensure proper assignment of receivables, with the U.S. Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 governing transfers in federal contracts, requiring formal notices to government agencies for validity. Post-2020, the practice has seen accelerated growth in supply chain finance integrations, driven by pandemic-related disruptions that heightened demand for resilient working capital solutions.^[68]^[69]

Named entities

People

The surname Factor has dual origins, reflecting both Jewish and English heritage. Among Ashkenazi Jews, particularly those from Poland, it is an Americanized variant of Faktorowicz, a patronymic derived from the Yiddish or Polish term "faktor," denoting a merchant, broker, or commercial agent.^[70] In English contexts, it stems from the Middle English occupational term "factor," referring to a business agent or steward who managed trade or estates on behalf of others.^[71] The name implies industriousness or mercantile activity, often linked to "doer" in its etymological roots, and it remains uncommon as a given name, with no widely recognized figures bearing Factor as a first name. One of the most prominent bearers is Max Factor (1872–1938), born Maksymilian Faktorowicz in Zduńska Wola, near Łódź in the Russian Empire (now Poland). A pioneering cosmetologist and entrepreneur, he immigrated to the United States in 1904 and established Max Factor & Company in Los Angeles in 1909, initially focusing on wigs and theatrical makeup. Factor revolutionized the cosmetics industry by developing greasepaint tailored for black-and-white film, flexible makeup for early color cinema, and products like the first foundation in 1914 and the iconic Pan-Cake makeup in 1937. His innovations supported Hollywood's golden age, earning him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a special Academy Award in 1929 for makeup advancements; he is also credited with popularizing the term "make-up" for everyday cosmetics in 1920.^[72]^[73]^[74] Factor's younger brother, John "Jake the Barber" Factor (1892–1984), born Iakov Faktorowicz in the Russian Empire, pursued a starkly different path as a Prohibition-era gangster and confidence man tied to the Chicago Outfit. After immigrating to the U.S. around 1904 and working as a barber in Chicago, he transitioned to bootlegging, fraud, and stock swindles in the 1920s, amassing wealth through schemes that defrauded British investors of millions. His 1933 "kidnapping"—later revealed as a staged hoax to evade extradition to England—resulted in the wrongful imprisonment of rival racketeer Roger Touhy and drew national attention, with Factor paying a purported $70,000 ransom to himself. Deported briefly to the UK in 1934 but returning via Canada, he continued low-profile criminal activities until his death in Los Angeles.^[75]^[76] Another brother, Frank Factor, later known as Max Factor Jr. (1898–1996), joined the family business and helped expand it into a major cosmetics empire after Max Sr.'s death in 1938. The Factor family legacy, exemplified by the brothers' contrasting contributions to commerce and crime, underscores the surname's association with agency and enterprise in American history.

Places

No notable geographic locations are named Factor.

Other uses

In arts and media

In music theory, a factor, or chord factor, refers to an individual note that forms a component of a chord, such as the root, third, fifth, seventh, or higher extensions like the ninth or eleventh. These factors are essential in analyzing chord structures, particularly in jazz harmony where they help identify tensions and resolutions within progressions.^[77] For instance, in a dominant seventh chord, the root provides stability, the major third defines the chord's major quality, the perfect fifth adds consonance, and the minor seventh creates tension leading to resolution.^[77] "The Factor," originally titled The O'Reilly Factor, was a prominent American cable news and talk show on Fox News Channel, hosted by Bill O'Reilly from 1996 until his departure in April 2017.^[78] The program focused on political commentary, cultural issues, and interviews, often featuring O'Reilly's "No Spin Zone" segment to challenge guests directly.^[79] Following O'Reilly's exit amid sexual harassment allegations, the show briefly aired as The Factor under substitute host Dana Perino before being replaced by Tucker Carlson Tonight.^[78] The X Factor is a global franchise of singing competition talent shows, originating in the United Kingdom on ITV, where it premiered on September 4, 2004, created by Simon Cowell.^[80] The show's title draws from the "X factor," an idiomatic term for an indefinable quality or special talent that sets performers apart, as Cowell described it as capturing "that indefinable talent" beyond technical skill.^[81] It has launched careers for artists like Leona Lewis and One Direction, with international versions adapting the format in over 50 countries.^[82] In Marvel Comics, "X-Factor" denotes the genetic mutation known as the X-gene, which activates superhuman abilities in mutants, distinguishing them from baseline humans.^[83] This concept underlies the X-Factor comic series, first published in 1986, featuring teams of mutants like Cyclops and Jean Grey investigating paranormal threats while grappling with their genetic heritage. The X Factor franchise has significantly influenced reality television, popularizing the talent competition format and shaping celebrity culture through its emphasis on dramatic auditions and public voting.^[84] At its peak in 2010, the UK series averaged 14 million viewers per episode, with the final drawing 17.2 million, rivaling major events like soap opera finales.^[85] Its cultural impact includes boosting music chart dominance for winners and sparking debates on the ethics of talent exploitation in media.^[82]

Organizations and miscellaneous

The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR), established in 1982, is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the development of the Canadian music industry through grants and loans for recording artists, labels, songwriters, managers, publishers, and event producers.^[86] It operates as a public-private partnership, distributing funds sourced from levies on blank audio media, broadcasting fees, and government contributions via the Canada Music Fund. In the 2022–2023 fiscal year, FACTOR offered $40,121,875 in funding to 3,045 projects, aiding the production of sound recordings and promoting Canadian talent domestically and internationally.^[87] Other organizations bearing the name "Factor" include Factor, a U.S.-based integrated law firm founded in 2018 that provides contract lifecycle management, regulatory services, and legal operations support to corporate clients, earning a Band 1 ranking in Chambers and Partners' NewLaw Guide for its innovative approach to in-house legal needs.^[88] Additionally, Wine Factor is a California-based company specializing in the import, wholesale, and retail of boutique wines, beers, vinegars, and olive oils, with a focus on small-production Pinot Noirs from regions like California and Oregon.^[89] In philosophy, particularly in Aristotle's theory of causation outlined in Physics and Metaphysics, the term "factor" aligns with the concept of the efficient cause, which is the primary agent or instrumental factor responsible for initiating change or bringing a thing into being, such as the sculptor as the efficient cause of a statue.^[90] This efficient cause, one of four explanatory principles (alongside material, formal, and final causes), emphasizes the active role of an external mover or producer in the causal chain, influencing later philosophical discussions on agency and teleology.^[90] In artificial intelligence, "bias factors" refer to systemic elements like data selection, algorithmic design, and training processes that introduce unfair disparities in AI outputs, such as racial or gender biases in decision-making systems; mitigation strategies emphasize diverse datasets and fairness audits to address these factors.^[91] In sustainability, the "carbon factor" denotes the emission coefficient used to quantify embodied carbon in materials and products, calculated as kilograms of CO2 equivalent per unit mass, enabling precise assessments of environmental impact in construction and manufacturing for net-zero goals.^[92]

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Hemophilia A and B are the most common severe hereditary hemorrhagic disorders. Hemophilia A and B result from factor VIII and factor IX protein deficiency.
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Factor | mercantile agent | Britannica
### Summary of Factor as Mercantile Agent
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Agency - Rules, Systems, Law | Britannica
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Factor - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
"commercial agent, deputy, one who buys or sells for another," from French facteur "agent, representative" (Old French factor, faitor "doer, author, creator")
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Tobacco | George Washington's Mount Vernon
Middlemen, called factors, would receive shipments in London and sell their colonial clients' crops and then send manufactured goods that the planter requested ...
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Commission Merchants and Factors | Encyclopedia.com
Commission merchants advanced money to planters and manufacturers; in return, the products of farm and factory were consigned to them for sale.
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[PDF] Factor's Lein and Accounts Receivable Financing and Article 9
The lien is effectual from the time it is admitted to record against all later claims against the merchandise, except common law and statutory possessory liens ...
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Judicial factors - Scottish Law Commission
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Oct 17, 2025 · Allows you to keep loyal customers on longer payment terms while still improving your cash flow. Easier to qualify for than traditional loan ...
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Your Complete Guide to Invoice Factoring - Porter Capital
Submit invoices → get an advance (up to 90%) → we collect from your customer → you get the rest, minus a fee. What does it cost? Typically 1%–5% of the invoice ...
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May 30, 2024 · There are three types of accounts receivable factoring: Recourse factoring. Non-recourse factoring. Maturity factoring. 1. Recourse factoring.
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The Difference Between Recourse and Non-Recourse Factoring
Recourse factoring means the company buys back unpaid invoices, while non-recourse means the factoring company assumes most non-payment risk, with specific ...Missing: process maturity
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Recourse vs. Non-Recourse Factoring - NerdWallet
Oct 8, 2025 · Recourse factoring means you're responsible for the debt if customers don't pay. Non-recourse factoring means the factoring company accepts ...Missing: maturity | Show results with:maturity
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Factoring companies typically charge fees ranging from 1% to 5% of the invoice amount, depending on factors like invoice value, sales volume, and customer ...
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Invoice Factoring Rates - Universal Funding
It's a percentage charged on the invoice amount, often between 1% and 5% per month. ... Invoice factoring usually has a faster approval process than bank loans.
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How Much Does Invoice Factoring Cost? - TreviPay
1. Size and volume of transactions ... The size of each invoice and their volume will significantly influence your factoring fee. If you are able to guarantee a ...
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[PDF] The Role of Factoring for Financing Small and Medium Enterprises
There are potentially advantages for all participants: For the factor, who benefits from low information costs and credit risk; for the (high-risk) seller, who ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Pros and Cons of Invoice Financing for Small Businesses - Biz2Credit
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Sep 1, 2025 · The Main Disadvantages of Invoice Factoring. 1. Higher Costs Than Traditional Loans. Factoring fees typically range 1–4% of invoice value.Missing: benefits | Show results with:benefits
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Global Factoring Services Market Size & Outlook, 2024-2030
The global factoring services market size was estimated at USD 4,503,117.0 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 8,188,666.8 million by 2030, growing ...
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This subpart prescribes policies and procedures for the assignment of claims under the Assignment of Claims Act of1940, as amended.
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Mar 14, 2025 · America has reported a steady growth 5-6% after a slight dip in year 2023. Supply chain finance (SCF) is a comprehensive financial strategy and ...
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Factor Surname Meaning & Factor Family History at Ancestry.com®
American shortened and altered form of Jewish (from Poland) Faktorowicz: patronymic from faktor an occupational name meaning 'broker agent' in Polish.
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Factor last name popularity, history, and meaning
The surname Factor is of English origin, derived from the occupational term "factor," which referred to an agent or representative who acted on behalf of a ...
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Our Heritage | Max Factor
1872. Max Factor is born in Lodz, Russia (now part of Poland) on 5th August. · 1920. Max Factor invents the word make-up and introduces Society Make-up to the ...
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Max Factor - Hollywood Walk of Fame
Max Factor, Sr., born Maximilian Faktorowicz, was a successful Jewish businessman, cosmetician, chemist, wigmaker. Founder of cosmetics giant Max Factor & ...
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Max Factor: Wizard of Make-Up | Article - Culture.pl
This pioneer of colour cosmetics is born Maksymilian Faktorowicz in Zduńska Wola. His pseudonym, Max Factor, originates in an emigration bureau in America ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
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FACTOR WINS PLEA FOR COURT REVIEW; ' Jake the Barber ...
-The efforts of John Factor, or “Jake the Barber,” to escape extradition to England will be reviewed by the Supreme Court April 17, according to a brief ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
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Bad guys . . . – Chicago Tribune
... John “Jake the Barber” Factor; and Humphreys, son of Welsh immigrants. It is Humphreys whom Russo credits with laying out and executing the Outfit's ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
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May 1, 2025 · Guide to Marion County, Alabama ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, ...
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Introduction to Chords - musictheory.net
A chord is a combination of three or more notes. · A major triad (or major chord) is built with a major third and a perfect fifth from the root. · Next, write the ...
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Bill O'Reilly Is Forced Out at Fox News - The New York Times
the title shortened to just “The Factor ... Bill O'Reilly's Show Lost More Than Half Its Advertisers in a Week.
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bill o'reilly to depart fox news channel
April 19, 2017 – Bill O'Reilly will depart FOX News ... The Factor will continue for the remainder of this week at 8PM/ET ...Missing: show | Show results with:show
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The X Factor UK (TV Series 2004–2024) - IMDb
Rating 4.4/10 (5,035) Release date · September 4, 2004 (United Kingdom) · Country of origin. United Kingdom · Official sites. ITV (United Kingdom) · Language. English · Also known as.
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Jul 31, 2021 · How the show that once topped viewing figures, and created big stars appears to have run its course.
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X-Factor Members, Enemies, Powers | Marvel
Madrox formed a new X-Factor team, the X-Factor Investigations, a private investigation firm that has no relation with the government, as the previous ...
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Aug 9, 2021 · At its height in 2010, the programme's average audience was 14 million viewers, exactly that of the UK's two main TV soap operas, Eastenders and ...
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The X Factor viewer ratings since 2004 - The Guardian
Dec 13, 2010 · Won by Matt Cardle, the results show averaged 17.2 million viewers, a 55% share, with a 15-minute peak of 18.753 million (and a five-minute peak ...
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FACTOR Canada: Home
FACTOR's programs provide financial support to Canadian recording artists, labels, songwriters, managers, publishers, and event producers. Whether an artist is ...What We Fund · 2025-2026 Deadlines · Our Programs · Contact Us
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FACTOR, the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings, has published its 36th annual report that transparently details how its budget of $20-million ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Factor Secures Band 1 Chambers Ranking for Second Year in a Row
NEW YORK (June 12, 2024) -- Factor, the market leader in Integrated La️w™, has received a Band 1 ranking in the Chambers and Partners NewLaw Guide 2024 for ...
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Jan 11, 2006 · Here Aristotle completes his theory of causality by arguing for the explanatory priority of the final cause over the efficient cause. ...The Four Causes · The Four Causes and the... · The Explanatory Priority of...
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Feb 2, 2024 · The carbon factor of the building life cycle is measured and provides an updated emissions estimate. A material's embodied carbon value is ...