Answer:
They signify the multiples of ten for each unit.
Explanation:
- A prefix is a word that precedes a basic unit to indicate the multiple or fraction of that basic unit.
- We can assign multiple or subdivisions in the metric system to any unit by simply combining them with their prefix.
- Some of the common prefixes that are sued in the metric system are kilo, centi, deca, hecto etc.
- Each prefix has a different menaing assigned to it for example :
- deci is one-tenth
- centi is one-hundredth
- milli is one-thousandth
- deca is ten.
- hecto is 100.
- kilo is 1000.
- Thus, the prefixes in the metric system are used to signify multiples of ten for each unit.
