Final answer:
Metric prefixes are used in the SI system to relate to the base unit and make measurements more manageable. These prefixes are based on multiples or fractions of powers of ten.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metric prefixes are used in the SI system to relate to the base unit and make measurements more manageable. These prefixes are based on multiples or fractions of powers of ten. For example, the prefix kilo- represents a multiple of 1000, so when added to a base unit like gram, it creates the unit kilogram. Likewise, the prefix milli- represents a fraction of 1/1000, so when added to a base unit like liter, it creates the unit milliliter.