Final answer:
A terameter is 1x10^12 times as large as a meter, which is due to the prefix 'tera-' in the metric system signifying a trillion, or 10^12.
Step-by-step explanation:
A terameter is 1x1012 times as large as a meter. In the metric system, each prefix represents a specific power of 10, making conversions straightforward. For example, the prefix 'tera-' implies a trillion, or a factor of 1012, when attached to a metric unit like a meter. This means that a terameter is a trillion meters. Thus, to answer the question, we note that 1 terameter (Tm) equals 1x1012 meters (m).
Understanding the powers of 10 is crucial when dealing with the metric system. These prefixes, each representing a different order of magnitude, help express very large or tiny dimensions effectively. For instance, 1 kilometer (km) is 103 meters, but a terameter is hugely greater than a kilometer, as it represents 1x1012 meters, showcasing the expansive scale that the metric system can accommodate with such prefixes.