Which sequence correctly lists metric prefixes from largest to smallest?

Which sequence correctly lists metric prefixes from largest to smallest?

• A. Kilo, Hecto, Deka, Base, Deci, Centi, Milli
• B. Giga, Mega, Kilo, Hecto
• C. Kilo, Hecto, Deka, Base, Deci, Centi, Milli
• D. Kilo, Mega, Giga, Tera

Answer: (C)

Metric prefixes are based on powers of ten. When you list from largest to smallest, each step to the left increases the size by a factor of ten and each step to the right decreases it. For these prefixes, Kilo is 10^3, Hecto is 10^2, Deka is 10^1, Base is 10^0, Deci is 10^-1, Centi is 10^-2, and Milli is 10^-3. Putting them in that order gives Kilo, Hecto, Deka, Base, Deci, Centi, Milli. Other sequences don’t follow that consistent left-to-right tenfold stepping, so they don’t list the prefixes correctly from largest to smallest.

Metric prefixes are based on powers of ten. When you list from largest to smallest, each step to the left increases the size by a factor of ten and each step to the right decreases it. For these prefixes, Kilo is 10^3, Hecto is 10^2, Deka is 10^1, Base is 10^0, Deci is 10^-1, Centi is 10^-2, and Milli is 10^-3. Putting them in that order gives Kilo, Hecto, Deka, Base, Deci, Centi, Milli. Other sequences don’t follow that consistent left-to-right tenfold stepping, so they don’t list the prefixes correctly from largest to smallest.