Final answer:
Metric system prefixes represent power of ten multiplications of base units, with each prefix denoting a specific factor of ten. They simplify expressing large and small numbers and are not to be 'doubled up'. Common metric prefixes include kilo-, mega-, and milli-.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prefixes in the metric system are used to simplify measurements by using powers of the number 10. Metric prefixes are convenient for expressing both large and small quantities in manageable terms, as opposed to writing out a long string of zeros. For example, the metric prefix 'kilo-' indicates a multiplication by 103 (or 1,000 times the base unit), while 'mega-' signifies 106, and 'milli-' denotes a division by 103 (or one-thousandth of the base unit). It is important to note that these prefixes should not be "doubled up"; for instance, instead of kilogram, we use megagram for 106 grams.
These prefixes are derived from either Latin or Greek and are universally applied across various units of measure in the metric system, like meters for length, grams for mass, and liters for volume. Common prefixes include milli (10-3), centi (10-2), deci (10-1), deca (101), hecto (102), kilo (103), mega (106), giga (109), tera (1012), and so on.