Question

The prefix milli means ______

Short answer

The prefix milli means one-thousandth.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Term

The term 'milli' is a prefix used in the metric system, which provides a base-10 prefix to create smaller or larger measurements.

Definition of Milli

The prefix 'milli' denotes a factor of one-thousandth. It is derived from the Latin word 'mille', meaning 'one thousand'.

Applying to Measurements

When applied to units of measurements, 'milli' signifies division by 1,000. For example, 1 millimeter is one-thousandth of a meter.

Key concepts

Metric Prefixes

Metric prefixes play a vital role in making measurement units much more manageable and accessible. They allow us to express very large or very small numbers conveniently by using powers of ten.

• A metric prefix precedes a basic unit of measure to indicate a multiple or a fraction of that unit.
• Common prefixes include kilo (1,000 times), centi (one-hundredth), and milli (one-thousandth), among others.

Understanding these prefixes helps us easily convert and compare different scales of measurement in science, technology, and everyday life. Using a prefix like "milli" identifies that the measurement is scaled down by a factor of 1,000.

Measurement Units

Measurement units are fundamental in expressing quantities such as length, mass, and volume.
In the metric system, all measurements rely on a base unit framework complemented by prefixes to indicate scale. Here are a few examples:

• Length is commonly measured in meters, centimeters, and millimeters.
• Mass is measured in grams, kilograms, and milligrams.
• Volume includes units like liters and milliliters.

Combining a measurement unit with a suitable metric prefix facilitates concise communication and understanding of measurements across disciplines and regions.

Decimal System

The metric system is neatly based on the decimal system, which uses base 10 at its core.
This nature aids significantly in calculations and conversions, as it allows straightforward multiplication or division by tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.

• Every movement within decimal places is equivalent to multiplying or dividing by 10.
• This creates a simple way to interpret large and small quantities by shifting the decimal placement according to the metric prefix.

Understanding this system makes converting between units and scales easier, facilitating tasks like engineering calculations, pharmaceutical dosing, and scientific measurements.