Among the prefixes k, m, μ, and n, which represents a larger value?

Among the prefixes k, m, μ, and n, which represents a larger value?

• A. k (kilo)
• B. m (milli)
• C. μ (micro)
• D. n (nano)

Answer: (A)

Metric prefixes scale by powers of ten, so a higher prefix means a larger quantity. Kilo represents 10^3, which is 1000 times the base unit. The others shrink the unit: milli is 10^-3 (one thousandth), micro is 10^-6 (one millionth), and nano is 10^-9 (one billionth). Because 10^3 is greater than 10^-3, 10^-6, and 10^-9, kilo is the largest value among them. For example, 1 kilometer is larger than 1 meter, while 1 millimeter, 1 micrometer, and 1 nanometer are all smaller than a meter.

Metric prefixes scale by powers of ten, so a higher prefix means a larger quantity. Kilo represents 10^3, which is 1000 times the base unit. The others shrink the unit: milli is 10^-3 (one thousandth), micro is 10^-6 (one millionth), and nano is 10^-9 (one billionth). Because 10^3 is greater than 10^-3, 10^-6, and 10^-9, kilo is the largest value among them. For example, 1 kilometer is larger than 1 meter, while 1 millimeter, 1 micrometer, and 1 nanometer are all smaller than a meter.