Working Within Prefixes

Tera (T) 1012
Giga (G) 109
Mega (M) 106
kilo (k) 103
hecto (h) 102
deca (da) 101
No Prefix 100
deci (di) 10-1
centi (c) 10-2
milli (m) 10-3
micro (:) 10-6
nano (n) 10-9
pico (p) 10-12
femto (f) 10-15
atto (a) 10-18

Graph of Prefixes

The question of confusion when moving within the prefixes seems to evolve around, are we increasing in the amount of units (positive)? Or are we decreasing in the amount of units (negative)?

By looking at the graph above, this can be explained:

If you are in the negative part of the graph and you have to move in the positive direction then:

  • Count the powers of 10 and place this value as the exponent
  • Since the calculation is placed in the denominator the net result is negative
  • Also note that the unit value increases causing the amount measured to be smaller
Smaller to Greater

If you are in the positive part of the graph and you have to move in the negative direction then:

  • Count the powers of 10 and place this value as an exponent
  • Since the calculation is placed in the numerator the net result is positive
  • Also note that the unit value decrease causing the amount measured to be larger
Setup
Consider the following problem: 10.4 TCi = ____ nCi

Now let us reverse this setup and see how it applies to our prefixes and units: 10.4pCi = _____ TCi

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