Using Tenfold Numbers in Mathematics and Physics

Nowadays, there are two system of units that people are usually used to; there are metric system and British system. Metric system is divided into two, they are CGS (centimeter, gram, and second) and MKS (meer, kilogram, and second). Example of British system of unit are pound, feet, and inch.

System International (SI) of unit  basically derived from metric system. Therefore, system international of unit are very easily converted (changed) from one unit to the others. The conversation are done by multiplication of tenfold numbers or ten or ten degree n (10ⁿ , with n is integer). For example, 1 km can be converted into 10³ and 1 mm can be changed into 10^-3 m.

To allow writing the unit using number that has many zeros. Both behind the number and zeros behind the coma, are written using ten that has degree. Number of ten is called multiplier factor. In SI, multiplier factor have their special names. 

For example : 

• 2,000,000,000  = 2 x 10⁹
• 0.000003  = 3 x 10^-6

According to the system international of unit multiplier factor are presented in table

Factor	Initial Name	Abbreviation
10-12	pico	p
10-9	nano	n
10-6	micro	μ
10-3	mili	m
10-2	centi	c
10-1	deca	d
100	-	_
101	deca	da
102	hecto	h
103	kilo	k
106	mega	M
10-3 9	giga	G

Example of the use of multiplier factor :
1 micrometer  = 1 x 10^-16 metre
5 gigabytes     = 5 x 10⁹ bite
2 megahertz   = 2 x 10⁶ hertz