Which metric prefix represents the smallest unit listed in the ordered prefixes?

Which metric prefix represents the smallest unit listed in the ordered prefixes?

• A. milli
• B. deci
• C. centi
• D. kilo

Answer: (A)

Metric prefixes indicate how many powers of ten you multiply the base unit by, so comparing them is about comparing those powers. Among the prefixes listed, milli means one thousandth (10^-3) of the base unit, deci means one tenth (10^-1), centi means one hundredth (10^-2), and kilo means a thousand times (10^3). The smaller the value, the smaller the unit. Since 10^-3 is smaller than 10^-2, 10^-1, or 10^3, milli is the smallest unit listed. For perspective, 1 meter equals 1000 millimeters, 10 decimeters, or 100 centimeters, but only 0.001 kilometers.

Metric prefixes indicate how many powers of ten you multiply the base unit by, so comparing them is about comparing those powers. Among the prefixes listed, milli means one thousandth (10^-3) of the base unit, deci means one tenth (10^-1), centi means one hundredth (10^-2), and kilo means a thousand times (10^3). The smaller the value, the smaller the unit. Since 10^-3 is smaller than 10^-2, 10^-1, or 10^3, milli is the smallest unit listed. For perspective, 1 meter equals 1000 millimeters, 10 decimeters, or 100 centimeters, but only 0.001 kilometers.