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A metric prefix is a unit prefix that precedes a basic unit of measure to indicate a multiple or submultiple of the unit. All metric prefixes used today are decadic. Each prefix has a unique symbol that is prepended to any unit symbol.
The simplified table below shows common metric prefixes and the relationship with their place values. Note that the recommended decimal sign or marker for use in the United States is the dot on the line, which is used to separate whole numbers from parts.
This table of metric prefixes has the standard names for each prefix used in science and measurements. It also shows the symbol used to represent these prefixes, their ‘power of ten’ and the number you are actually replacing with the prefix.
Table of metric system prefixes, symbols, and multiplication factors. The metric system defines prefixes and corresponding symbols for positive and negative powers of 10, as applied to each unit of measure.
Metric system prefixes provide a simple way to understand exactly what each unit of measurement stands for in the metric system, since the prefixes tell you how much bigger a unit is than the base unit. Take a look at the most commonly used metric prefixes for length, mass, volume, and time.
A powerful feature of the metric system is its use of prefixes. The SI prefixes consist of a set of names and symbols that can be prepended to any SI unit’s name or symbol to modify its value. All SI prefixes have values that are multiples or submultiples of powers of 10.
In general, prefixes are used with any metric unit, but may also be used with non-metric units. Some combinations, however, are more common than others. The choice of prefixes for a given unit has often arisen by convenience of use and historical developments.
Prefix Symbol Meaning ; deci: d: 10-1 centi: c 10-2 milli: m 10-3 micro: µ or mc 10-6: nano: n: 10-9: pico: p: 10-12: femto: f: 10-15: atto: a: 10-18
For example, meters, centimeters, and millimeters are all metric units of length. There are 10 millimeters in 1 centimeter and 100 centimeters in 1 meter. Metric prefixes are used to distinguish between units of different size. These prefixes all derive from either Latin or Greek terms.
In introductory chemistry we use only a few of the most common metric prefixes, such as milli, centi, and kilo. Our various textbooks and lab manuals contain longer lists of prefixes, but few if any contain a complete list.