Scaling factor
\ˈskeɪlɪŋ\ \ˈfæktər\
A crude way of tailoring a base table to allow for the characteristics of a particular population, by multiplying the mortality rates by a scaling factor (for example 90% or 110%).
The actuarial equivalent of taking in the waist of pair of off-the-peg trousers.
Applying one scaling factor to all ages of a standard table will result in a distortion of the shape of the table, with the likely result of the youngest and oldest ages being the most distorted from the true rates of the desired population.