Repeat: you will use the proper exponential value (like 10 5) in a solution to a problem you will NEVER use just the exponent (the 5) in a solution.
#Power of ten prefixes how to#
The 5 is only used in descriptions about how to determine the distance. In other words, 10 5 is used in the solution to the problem the 5 by itself will never be used. In the problems to follow, the exponential form will be the one used. Done as an exponent, the absolute exponential distance between kilo- and centi- is 10 5. The absolute exponential distance between 3 and -2 is 5, not 1. For example, someone might mentally do the distance between kilo and centi by comparing the exponents of positive 3 and negative 2 and getting one. What you should do is compare the two exponents as if they were placed on a number line made of exponents and the compute the absolute exponential distance between them. The distance between kilo and centi is 10 5. For example, the absolute distance between milli and centi is 10 1. The skill I'm talking about is figuring out the absolute, exponential distance between two prefixes. It is an important skill that goes somewhat untaught, so I've decided to address it. It seems that everybody just assumes students pick it up somewhere in a math class. The reason is that this particular skill isn't really mentioned by chemistry (or physics) teachers. This next set of problems deserves some comment. Problems concerning the exponential distance between two prefixes This makes it a prime target for teachers to test. Given either the name or the symbol of the prefix, give the other:Ī word to the wise: deca- (symbol = da) is a little used unit prefix. Here are only some possible problems (of many): Problems could give any one and ask for one or both of the others. There are three items - name, symbol, and size - that must be known. Notice anything? And, no, I did not copy them. For example, centigram means we are count in steps of one one-hundredth of a gram, μg means we count by millionths of a gram.įor another presentation of these prefixes, please go here. These skills will be necessary in order to correctly convert one metric unit to another.Ī metric prefix is a modifier on the root word and it tells us the unit of measure. The Best Trick To Learn Prefixes For The Powers Of Ten (10)Best Trick for Prefixes use in S.I SystemPrefixes for Power of TenPREFIXES OF POWER OF 10PrefixesC. Note for the future: you will need to determine which of two prefixes represents a bigger amount AND you will also need to determine the exponential "distance" between two prefixes. There is even someone selling an e-book for metric prefix flashcards. Here is a search for metric prefix flashcards. In order to properly convert from one metric unit to another, you must have the prefixes memorized. As you'll see in the Bits and Bytes section, there is also some confusion with k and K when dealing with the binary (base 2) prefixes.A brief discussion of the basic metric units. * Note: Since the upper case 'K' was already used to describe Kelvins, a lower case 'k' was chosen to represent the prefix kilo. As an example, one mW (milliwatt) does not equal one MW (megawatt). This allows you to distinguish between the two when they use the same letter. Physics+B.Ed)BestTricks TricksForPrefixesToPowerTenPhysicsTutorialsCL. One thing to notice about the prefixes for small values, is that their shorthand notations are all lower case while the large number prefixes are upper case (with the exception of kilo-*, hecto- and deca-). Short Tricks To Learn Prefixes For The Powers Of Ten (10) By Nirmala Bisht (M.Sc. Now, instead one trillionth of a second, it can be referred to as a picosecond. There are also prefixes for helping communicate tiny numbers as well. The easiest way to convert one unit of measurement to another unit of measure is to initially convert its metric prefix to its associated power of ten while. This allows us to describe incredibly large numbers of units succinctly. Instead of saying 3,200,000,000 Hertz, you can say 3.2 GigaHertz, or 3.2 GHz for shorthand written notation. These above prefixes dramatically help describe quanities of units in large amounts. While these prefixes cover a rang of 10 -3 to 10 3, many electronic values can have a much larger range. However, as you'll soon see, when learning about electronics and computer science, the range of prefixes well exceeds the standard six. You may have even learned a fun mnemonic to go along with these such as Kangaroos Have Dirty Underwear During Cold Months. These are what we'll consider the standard six prefixes taught in most High School science courses.
When first learning about metric prefixes, chances are you were taught these six prefixes first: Prefix (Symbol) Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Pin It The Prefixes
0 kommentar(er)
