General term for a contributing element or cause in various contexts (science, society, analysis).
Stress is a major factor in illness.
Analyze the factors behind success.
Mathematical term for a number or expression that divides another exactly; see also 因数.
See also: 因数
The factors of 6 are 1, 2, 3, and 6.
Lack of exercise is also a factor in obesity.
This expression can be decomposed into two factors.
The researchers identified the factor causing the disease.
因数 is used strictly in mathematics for a number or expression that divides another exactly, while 因子 covers the same idea but also extends to non-mathematical contexts.
原因 refers to the cause of a specific result, whereas 因子 refers more broadly to an element that may influence an outcome among others.
要素 is a general word for a component or element of something, while 因子 specifically implies a causal or contributing role.
因子 is a more academic term for a contributing factor in an analysis or equation, while エレメント is a looser, more general loanword for a part or component.
From Chinese 因子 (yīnzǐ), composed of 因 (cause) and 子 (small thing). Adopted into Japanese with the same meaning.
growth factor