What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
factorial
Example
The factorial of 5 is 120, which is calculated as 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1. [factorial: noun]
Example
To find the number of ways to arrange 3 books on a shelf, we can use the formula 3! (3 factorial), which equals 6. [factorial: symbol]
multiplication
Example
To find the area of a rectangle, we multiply its length by its width. [multiply: verb]
Example
The multiplication table is a helpful tool for memorizing basic multiplication facts. [multiplication: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Multiplication is more commonly used than factorial in everyday language. Multiplication is a fundamental arithmetic operation that is taught early on in school and is used frequently in everyday life, while factorial is a more specialized concept that is typically encountered in higher-level math courses.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between factorial and multiplication?
Factorial is generally considered more formal than multiplication, as it is a more specialized and technical term that is used primarily in academic and scientific contexts.
