In computer science, "c * f(n)" represents a mathematical expression where "c" is a constant and "f(n)" is a function that describes the growth of an algorithm's running time or space requirements as the input size "n" increases. The constant "c" scales the function, indicating that the performance of the algorithm is affected by a fixed factor. This expression is often used in the context of Big O notation, which helps analyze the efficiency of algorithms. By multiplying a function by a constant, we can compare different algorithms and understand how their performance changes with varying input sizes, providing insights into their efficiency.