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SI prefixes

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As explained in Introduction to SI units, a prefix may be added to a SI base unit that indicates the exponent (power base ten) to apply to the base unit. The prefixes are set out below. In case you can’t easily remember these prefixes, the table also contains links to the corresponding Nematrian conversion functions that you can use to convert units with a prefix to base units or vice versa:

 

Prefix

Symbol

Factor

yotta

Y

zetta

Z

exa

E

peta

P

tera

T

giga

G

mega

M

kilo

k

hecto

h

deca*

da

deci

d

centi

c

milli

m

micro

nano

n

pico

p

femto

f

atto

a

zepto

z

yocto

y

 

* In the US spelt “deka”

 

An exception is the kilogram (spelt kilogramme in some locations), the SI base unit for mass, which for historical reasons already includes a ‘kilo’ prefix. Prefixes for it are formed by adjusting this prefix and applying it to the gram.

 


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