Question

1. which prefix represents the smallest measurement?

deci-
kilo-
hecto-
milli-

Explanation:

To determine the prefix with the smallest measurement, we recall the metric prefixes and their values:

• deci- represents $10^{-1}$ (or $\frac{1}{10}$)
• kilo- represents $10^{3}$ (or 1000)
• hecto- represents $10^{2}$ (or 100)
• milli- represents $10^{-3}$ (or $\frac{1}{1000}$)

Comparing the exponents (or the fractional values), a smaller exponent (more negative) or a smaller fractional value means a smaller measurement. Among $10^{-1}$, $10^{3}$, $10^{2}$, and $10^{-3}$, $10^{-3}$ (milli-) is the smallest because $10^{-3}<10^{-1}<10^{2}<10^{3}$.

Answer:

D. milli-