Chapter 1: Problem 19
Write the numbers represented by the following prefixes: (a) mega-, (b) kilo-, (c) deci-, (d) centi-, (e) milli-, (f) micro-, \((\mathrm{g})\) nano-, \((\mathrm{h})\) pico-
Short Answer
Expert verified
Mega- is 10^6; kilo- is 10^3; deci- is 10^{-1}; centi- is 10^{-2}; milli- is 10^{-3}; micro- is 10^{-6}; nano- is 10^{-9}; pico- is 10^{-12}.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding Metric Prefixes
Metric prefixes represent different powers of ten, making it easier to express large or small quantities. Each prefix has a specific numerical value associated with it.
02
Mega-
The prefix 'mega-' represents a factor of \(10^6\). Thus, mega- corresponds to 1,000,000.
03
Kilo-
The prefix 'kilo-' represents a factor of \(10^3\). Therefore, kilo- corresponds to 1,000.
04
Deci-
The prefix 'deci-' represents a factor of \(10^{-1}\). This means deci- corresponds to 0.1.
05
Centi-
The prefix 'centi-' represents a factor of \(10^{-2}\). Centi- corresponds to 0.01.
06
Milli-
The prefix 'milli-' represents a factor of \(10^{-3}\). Hence, milli- corresponds to 0.001.
07
Micro-
The prefix 'micro-' represents a factor of \(10^{-6}\). Micro- corresponds to 0.000001.
08
Nano-
The prefix 'nano-' represents a factor of \(10^{-9}\). Thus, nano- corresponds to 0.000000001.
09
Pico-
The prefix 'pico-' represents a factor of \(10^{-12}\). Pico- corresponds to 0.000000000001.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Powers of Ten
In mathematics and science, the concept of powers of ten is a vital tool that simplifies the representation of both large and small numbers. When we speak of powers of ten, we refer to numbers that can be expressed as 10 raised to an exponent. This exponential notation makes it easier to work with extremely large or tiny values.
The exponent in a power of ten notes how many times 10 is multiplied by itself. For instance:
The exponent in a power of ten notes how many times 10 is multiplied by itself. For instance:
- \(10^1 = 10\)
- \(10^2 = 100\)
- \(10^3 = 1,000\)
Mega
The prefix 'mega-' is part of the metric system, commonly used to denote one million times a unit. It is consistently represented by the power of ten notation \(10^6\). In numerical terms, mega- equals 1,000,000.
Mega is often used in various scientific fields, engineering, and everyday applications, for instance, to express units of measurement such as:
Mega is often used in various scientific fields, engineering, and everyday applications, for instance, to express units of measurement such as:
- Megahertz (MHz), which means a million hertz or cycles per second.
- Megabytes (MB), measuring millions of bytes in digital storage.
- Megawatts (MW), referring to one million watts of power.
Kilo
The 'kilo-' prefix is another fundamental component of the metric system, symbolizing a thousandfold increment, or \(10^3\). Thus, kilo- translates to 1,000.
It’s frequently encountered in various contexts and is one of the most familiar prefixes for everyday use. Consider the following examples:
It’s frequently encountered in various contexts and is one of the most familiar prefixes for everyday use. Consider the following examples:
- Kilogram (kg), commonly used for measuring weight, equaling 1,000 grams.
- Kilometer (km), a standard unit for measuring distance, equivalent to 1,000 meters.
- Kilowatt (kW), a measure of electrical power equaling 1,000 watts.
Micro
The prefix 'micro-' denotes a very small scale, specifically one millionth of a unit. It is expressed as \(10^{-6}\), indicating the decimal 0.000001.
Due to its utilization in representing tiny measurements, micro- is commonly found in various scientific and technological fields. Some examples where 'micro-' is applied include:
Due to its utilization in representing tiny measurements, micro- is commonly found in various scientific and technological fields. Some examples where 'micro-' is applied include:
- Micrometer (also known as a micron), which is 0.000001 meter or one-millionth of a meter, useful in measuring small object dimensions.
- Microgram (µg), representing a mass of one-millionth of a gram, used in medical and nutritional fields.
- Microsecond (µs), which divides a second into one million parts, applicable in fields like physics and electronics.