centi

Centi is a decimal SI prefix denoting a factor of 10 to the power of minus 2, or one hundredth. When placed before a unit, it indicates that the quantity is 0.01 of that unit. The symbol for the prefix is the lowercase letter c, as in centimeter (cm), centigram (cg), and centiliter (cL). The prefix belongs to the set of standard metric prefixes and is used to express measurements smaller than the base unit.

Etymology and history: The name centi comes from the Latin centum, meaning hundred. The centi prefix was adopted as part of the metric system in the 19th century and was formalized as an official SI prefix by the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) in 1960. It remains in common use for everyday measurements and in scientific contexts where smaller quantities are convenient to express.

Usage and examples: Centi is used with many derived units. For example, a centimeter equals 0.01 meters, a centigram equals 0.01 grams, and a centiliter equals 0.01 liters. In practice, centi is often used for lengths, volumes, and masses in everyday measurement, especially when the base unit is large or unwieldy. The prefix is typically avoided in fields where larger prefixes or non-decimal units are preferred, but it remains widely understood and accepted within the SI system.

Notes: The prefix itself is distinct from the symbol c, which can be confused with other uses of the same letter in different contexts. In SI notation, centi is always written as a prefix before the unit (lowercase c), not as a standalone unit.