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Metric Prefixes definitions

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  • Metric Prefix
    A modifier representing with a symbol a specific power of ten, used to scale base units in the metric system.
  • Base Unit
    A fundamental measurement such as liter, second, mole, or ampere, to which prefixes are attached for scaling.
  • Tera
    A prefix denoting a multiplier of 10^12, symbolized by a capital T, often used for very large quantities.
  • Giga
    A prefix indicating a factor of 10^9, represented by a capital G, commonly seen in measurements like gigamoles.
  • Mega
    A prefix for 10^6, symbolized by a capital M, used to express one million times a base unit.
  • Kilo
    A prefix meaning 10^3, shown as a lowercase k, familiar from terms like kilometer or kiloampere.
  • Hecto
    A prefix for 10^2, symbolized by H, less commonly used but part of the metric scaling system.
  • Deca
    A prefix representing 10^1, abbreviated as DA, used to multiply a base unit by ten.
  • Deci
    A prefix for 10^-1, symbolized by d, used to indicate one-tenth of a base unit.
  • Centi
    A prefix meaning 10^-2, represented by c, as seen in centimeter for one-hundredth of a meter.
  • Milli
    A prefix for 10^-3, symbolized by m, used in terms like milliliter for one-thousandth of a liter.
  • Micro
    A prefix denoting 10^-6, symbolized by a Greek letter resembling u, for one-millionth of a base unit.
  • Nano
    A prefix for 10^-9, symbolized by n, used for extremely small quantities like nanoseconds.
  • Pico
    A prefix meaning 10^-12, represented by p, indicating one-trillionth of a base unit.
  • Mnemonic Device
    A memory aid, such as a phrase, designed to help recall the order of metric prefixes efficiently.