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Metric prefix

A metric prefix is a unit prefix that precedes a basic unit of measure to indicate a multiple or submultiple of the unit. All metric prefixes used today are decadic. Each prefix has a unique symbol that is prepended to any unit symbol. The prefix kilo-, for example, may be added to gram to indicate multiplication by one thousand: one kilogram is equal to one thousand grams. The prefix milli-, likewise, may be added to metre to indicate division by one thousand; one millimetre is equal to one thousandth of a metre.

Decimal multiplicative prefixes have been a feature of all forms of the metric system, with six of these dating back to the system's introduction in the 1790s. Metric prefixes have also been used with some non-metric units. The SI prefixes are metric prefixes that were standardised for use in the International System of Units (SI) by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in resolutions dating from 1960 to 2022.[1][2] Since 2009, they have formed part of the ISO/IEC 80000 standard. They are also used in the Unified Code for Units of Measure (UCUM).

  1. ^ "SI prefixes". Bipm.org. Bureau International des Poids et Mesures. Archived from the original on 2014-09-12. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  2. ^ "Resolutions of the General Conference on Weights and Measures (27th meeting)" (PDF) (in French and English). Bureau International des Poids et Mesures. 2022-11-18. Archived from the original on 2023-06-13. Retrieved 2024-05-18.

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