The prefix micro corresponds to which exponent in metric prefixes?

The prefix micro corresponds to which exponent in metric prefixes?

• A. 10^-6
• B. 10^-3
• C. 10^-9
• D. 10^-12

Answer: (A)

The prefix micro means one millionth of a unit, which corresponds to 10^-6. In the metric system, each prefix represents a power of ten, with milli as 10^-3 (one thousandth), micro as 10^-6, nano as 10^-9, and pico as 10^-12. So a micrometer is 1 × 10^-6 meters, a microliter is 1 × 10^-6 liters, and so on. That’s why the exponent for micro is -6. The other options match other prefixes (10^-3 for milli, 10^-9 for nano, 10^-12 for pico) but not micro.

The prefix micro means one millionth of a unit, which corresponds to 10^-6. In the metric system, each prefix represents a power of ten, with milli as 10^-3 (one thousandth), micro as 10^-6, nano as 10^-9, and pico as 10^-12. So a micrometer is 1 × 10^-6 meters, a microliter is 1 × 10^-6 liters, and so on. That’s why the exponent for micro is -6. The other options match other prefixes (10^-3 for milli, 10^-9 for nano, 10^-12 for pico) but not micro.