Question

The prefix used to represent $${10}^{-2}$$ is called
(A) Milli
(B) Centi
(C) Kilo
(D) Deci

Answer 1

Hint: A unit prefix is a specifier or mnemonic that is prepended to units of measurement to indicate multiples or fractions of the units. Prefixes are used to form units of various sizes and they usually represent multiplication by powers of ten.

Complete step by step answer:
Milli is a prefix that denotes a factor of one thousandth, that is, one part in a thousand parts. This means that milli denotes $${10}^{-3}$$ .
Centi is a prefix that denotes a factor of one hundredth, that is, one part in a hundred parts. This means that centi stands for $${10}^{-2}$$ .
This means that option (B) is the correct answer.
Let’s also see what the other two prefixes stand for.
Kilo represents a factor of a thousand, that is, $${10}^3$$ whereas deci represents a factor of one-tenth, that is, it denotes $${10}^{-1}$$ .

Additional Information:
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures has standardized twenty metric prefixes for use with the International System of Units. Every prefix has its specific symbol and it is very essential to remember which prefix the symbol stands for if you want to avoid making errors. The number multiplied with the power of prefix is an integer and denotes the order of magnitude of the quantity.

Note: Prefixes are useful for expressing units of physical quantities that are either very big or very small. Writing very big values is time-consuming and very prone to error. Prefixes make it easier for us. It should be remembered that only one prefix can be used with a value, for example, saying milli centimetre is wrong. It should either be a millimetre or centimetre.