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In the metric systems, unlike other systems, there is only one unit for each measurement; e.g the only unit for length is the metre. For lengths much longer, or shorter, lengths we use prefixes to indicate the fraction or multiple of the metre.

For short lengths the fractions are thousandths, millionths, billionths; for which the prefixes are milli-, micro-, and nano-.

For longer lengths, the multiples are thousands, millions, and billions; for which the prefixes are kilo-, mega-, and giga-.

The prefixes indicate the fraction,or the multiple of the base unit.

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Q: How do the prefixes in the metric system?
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Related questions

How do the prefixes in the metric system relate to the base unit?

Every prefix in the metric system denotes a power of 10.


What is a metric time system?

Metric time is the measure of time interval using the metric system, which defines the second as the base unit of time, and multiple and submultiple units formed with metric prefixes, such as kiloseconds and milliseconds.


What is the metric system based on mathematically?

The metric system, in mathematical terms, is a base 10 system. This means that the prefixes of the units change the value of the units by factors of 10. For example: 1 centimeter = 10 millimeters.


The prefixes for the metric unit are?

1000


Does the U.S.A. use the metric system to tell time?

The metric system isn't used for day to day time measurement. The point of the metric, or SI, system is that it is a universal standard, the normal 24 hour clock is already the established universal system. Within the SI system the base unit of time is the second, all the normal prefixes apply, but since multiples of seconds are generally quoted in minutes and hours, the prefixes are mainly used with fractions of a second; milliseconds, nanoseconds etc.


Why do people consider the metric system easier to use than US system?

The metric system uses conversion factors of 10 for all units. Instead of remembering all the different conversions between each unit (4quarts=1gallon, 5280feet=1mile, ect), you only have to memorize a couple of prefixes. The (common) metric prefixes are Milli=1000th Centi=100th Deci=10th Deka=x10 Hecto=x100 Kilo=x1000


What are the prefixes used in the metric system and how do they relate to the size of the base unit?

The basic prefixes deci, centi and milli decrease by powers of ten and deca, hecto and kilo increase by powers of ten.


Is the metric system based upon multiple of 100?

Not quite. Larger or smaller units are created by adding prefixes for different powers of 10 - not only 100.


When you use a metric system to measure liquids?

Volumes are measured in cubic metres. Because the unit is cubed the normal system of prefixes can become confusing, so it is common to use the older, non SI, unit litre. a cubic metre is 1000 litres. The normal prefixes apply to litres.


What are the basic prefixes used in the metric system and how do they relate to the size of the base unit?

The basic prefixes deci, centi and milli decrease by powers of ten and deca, hecto and kilo increase by powers of ten.


How do you measure land miles in metric system?

You don't, miles are not a unit in the metric system. All distances are measured in metres. Prefixes are used for multiples or fractions of a metre. Distances that used to be measured in miles would, today, be measured in kilometres.


The metric system is based on what powers of what number?

The metric prefixes are powers of 10; most commonly, powers of 1000 (103) are used, that is, the power of 10 is a multiple of 3. For example, 103 = kilo, 106 = mega, 10-3 = milli, etc.