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The prefix “centi-” is a metric prefix meaning “one hundredth.” It was derived from the Latin word “centum” which means “hundred.” The prefix was officially adopted as part of the International System of Units (SI) in 1960.

In 1795, the French Academy of Sciences proposed a decimal system of units that became the basis for the modern metric system. The prefix “centi-” was included as one of the decimal prefixes to denote multiples or fractions of the base unit.

The prefix is commonly used in the metric system for measuring length, mass, and volume. For example, a centimeter is one hundredth of a meter, a centigram is one hundredth of a gram, and a centiliter is one hundredth of a liter.

In everyday life, the prefix “centi-” is widely used in the measurement of various quantities such as temperature (centigrade to Celsius), speed (centimeter per second), and monetary units (cent, centime).

The prefix has also found its way into various technological and scientific fields, including optics (centimeter-gram-second system of units), computer science (centisecond, a unit of time), and physics (centipoise, a unit of dynamic viscosity).

Definitions:

• Metric prefix: A prefix added to a metric unit of measurement to indicate a multiple or fraction of that unit. For example, the prefix kilo- (k) means one thousand, so one kilogram (kg) is equal to one thousand grams (g).
• International System of Units (SI): The modern form of the metric system, used as the standard of measurement for scientific, industrial, and educational purposes worldwide.
• Centi-: The prefix centi- is used in the SI to indicate one hundredth of a unit. For example, the metric unit of length, the meter (m), can be divided into hundredths by adding the prefix centi-. This results in the unit of centimeter (cm), which is equal to one hundredth of a meter.

Examples:

1. Length: The centimeter (cm) is the most common use of the centi- prefix in everyday life. We use it to measure the length of objects and distances, such as the height of a person or the width of a table.
2. Time: In the context of time, the centisecond (cs) is equal to one hundredth of a second (s). It is used in high-speed processes and events, such as the timing of sporting events or the measurement of reaction times.
3. Mass: The centigram (cg) is equal to one hundredth of a gram (g), and is used to measure the mass of small objects, such as the weight of a coin or a piece of jewelry.
4. Volume: The centiliter (cl) is equal to one hundredth of a liter (L), and is used to measure the volume of liquids, such as water or fuel.
5. Currency: The cent is a unit of currency in many countries, including the United States and Canada. It is equal to one hundredth of the main unit of currency, such as the dollar or the euro.

Quiz:

1. What does the prefix centi- indicate in the SI? a. One hundredth of a unit b. One thousandth of a unit c. One millionth of a unit
2. Which of the following units is not defined by the prefix centi-? a. Centigram b. Centiliter c. Centinewton
3. What is the relationship between a meter and a centimeter? a. A centimeter is equal to one meter b. A centimeter is equal to ten meters c. A centimeter is equal to one hundredth of a meter
4. What is the most common use of the prefix centi- in everyday life? a. To measure length b. To measure mass c. To measure time
5. What is the unit of currency in many countries that is equal to one hundredth of the main unit of currency? a. Cent b. Penny c. Nickel
6. What is the equivalent of one centisecond in seconds? a. 0.01 seconds b. 0.1 seconds c. 1 second