For a variable (ie numerical data that you put in the formula) you do a linear function of it - so it will have 2 parameters
Hence VS which is a variable x would have a formula a +bx with 2 parameters (a and b)
For a factor you assign a parameter to each category.
Hence type of sea would be \(S_i\) with 12 parameters (\(S_1 , S_2, ....., S_{12}\).