What is the prefix, symbol, and meaning of the exponent 10 to the -3rd power?

What is the prefix, symbol, and meaning of the exponent 10 to the -3rd power?

• A. Mega; M; Million
• B. Milli; m; Thousandth
• C. Micro; u; Millionth
• D. Milli; μ; Thousandth

Answer: (B)

Think of SI prefixes as shortcuts for multiplying by powers of ten. The exponent 10^-3 means we’re scaling down by a thousand. The prefix that matches this scale is milli, with the symbol m, and it means one-thousandth. So the description that fits is milli, m, thousandth. Mega would be 10^6 (million) with symbol M, which doesn’t match the exponent. Micro is 10^-6 (one millionth) with symbol μ, also not the same scale. And the symbol for milli is m, not μ, so that option mixes up the symbol.

Think of SI prefixes as shortcuts for multiplying by powers of ten. The exponent 10^-3 means we’re scaling down by a thousand. The prefix that matches this scale is milli, with the symbol m, and it means one-thousandth. So the description that fits is milli, m, thousandth.

Mega would be 10^6 (million) with symbol M, which doesn’t match the exponent. Micro is 10^-6 (one millionth) with symbol μ, also not the same scale. And the symbol for milli is m, not μ, so that option mixes up the symbol.