Homonym: 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 (Factorial)
The expression "5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1" represents the mathematical operation known as a factorial, specifically the factorial of the number 5, denoted as 5!. This operation involves multiplying a series of descending positive integers, starting from 5 down to 1. The result of this calculation is 120.
Factorials are commonly used in various fields, including combinatorics, probability, and statistics. They help in determining the number of ways to arrange or select items. For example, 5! can be used to find the number of ways to arrange 5 distinct objects.