deka

Deka, or deka, is a prefix in the metric system indicating a factor of ten. In the International System of Units (SI), the official form is deka- with the symbol da. When attached to a unit, it multiplies the unit by 10, producing examples such as decameter (dam), decaliter (dal), and decagram (dag). The prefix is used in some scientific contexts, though it is less common in everyday measurement.

In Greek, deka (δέκα) means ten. The root appears in numerous mathematical and scientific terms, including decagon (ten-sided polygon), decade (ten-year period), and decathlon (ten-event competition). The spelling deka is sometimes encountered in English variants and in other languages.

DEKA Research & Development Corporation, known simply as DEKA, is an American private company founded by inventor Dean Kamen in 1982. It develops technologies in medical devices and robotics and has produced several notable devices, including the iBOT powered wheelchair and the Luke Arm prosthetic, developed with support from DARPA's Revolutionizing Prosthetics program. The company is widely cited as a source of innovation in its fields and maintains a broad portfolio of translational research projects.

In addition to technical uses, deka is also a transliteration of a name in various cultures, and Deka is used as a given name or surname in some regions.