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Prefixes for Basic Metric Units

Prefixes for Basic Metric Units

Multiples

PrefixAbbreviationPower of 10Equivalent
deka- or deca-da 10 1ten
hecto-h 10 2hundred
kilo-k 10 3thousand
mega-M 10 6million
giga-G 10 9billion
tera-T 10 12trillion
peta-P 10 15quadrillion
exa-E 10 18quintillion
zetta-Z 10 21sextillion
yotta-Y 10 24septillion

Fractions

PrefixAbbreviationPower of 10Equivalent
deci-d 10 - 1tenth
centi-c 10 - 2hundredth
milli-m 10 - 3thousandth
micro-μ 10 - 6millionth
nano-n 10 - 9billionth
pico-p 10 - 12trillionth
femto-f 10 - 15quadrillionth
atto-a 10 - 18quintillionth
zepto-z 10 - 21sextillionth
yocto-y 10 - 24septillionth

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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