Multiplier
/ˈmʌltɪˌplaɪər/
Definitions
2 meaningsA number or quantity by which another is multiplied.
/ˈmʌltɪˌplaɪər/
A factor by which something is multiplied.
The interest rate acts as a multiplier on the investment.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're baking cookies. The multiplier is how many batches you're making. If you have 1 batch of cookies (the thing you're multiplying) and you want to make 3 times as many (the multiplier), you make 3 batches of cookies!
👶 For kids: A number you use to make something bigger!
More Examples
The economic multiplier effect can significantly boost a region's growth.
In the formula, the multiplier represents the rate of increase.
How It's Used
"In the equation 2 x 3 = 6, the numbers 2 and 3 are multipliers."
"The government's spending had a multiplier effect on the economy."
A device, system, or factor that increases the magnitude or effect of something.
/ˈmʌltɪˌplaɪər/
A device that increases a quantity.
The photomultiplier detected a weak signal.
💡 Simply: Think of a camera lens that makes things look closer or a machine in a factory that speeds up production. That kind of thing is a multiplier.
👶 For kids: Something that makes something else bigger or stronger.
More Examples
A voltage multiplier is a circuit that increases the voltage.
The teleconverter acts as a multiplier, making the focal length longer.
How It's Used
"The photomultiplier tube is a highly sensitive light multiplier."
"A teleconverter is a lens multiplier."
Idioms & expressions
The Multiplier Effect
In economics, the magnified impact of a change in spending on overall economic output.
"Government spending has a significant multiplier effect on the economy, creating jobs and increasing overall demand."
From Middle English 'multiplien' (to multiply), from Old French 'multiplier', from Latin 'multiplicare' (to multiply), from 'multus' (many) + 'plicare' (to fold).
The term has been used in mathematics and physics for centuries, with increased economic usage in the 20th century with the development of macroeconomic models.
Memory tip
Think of the word 'multiply'. The multiplier is the thing you are using to do the multiplying.