The " Six-factor formula " is the neutron life-cycle balance equation, which includes six separate factors, the product of which is equal to the ratio of the number of neutrons in any generation to that of the previous one; this parameter is called the effective multiplication factor k, also denoted by K eff, where k = " L " f ? " L " th " f " ?, where = " fast-fission factor ", " L " f = " fast non-leakage factor ", ? = " resonance escape probability ", " L " th = " thermal non-leakage factor ", " f " = " thermal fuel utilization factor ", and ? = " reproduction factor ".