Washington Master Esthetics Practice Exam

What prefix means one millionth?

1. Nano-

2. Micro-

3. Mili-

4. Pico-

The correct answer is: Micro-

The prefix that means one millionth is "micro-." This prefix is derived from the Greek word "mikros," which means small. In the International System of Units (SI), "micro-" denotes one-millionth of a unit, which is represented as 10^-6. For example, when considering measurements, a microgram (µg) is one millionth of a gram, and a micrometer (µm) is one millionth of a meter. This precision is crucial in various scientific and medical fields, including esthetics, where accurate measurements of ingredients or compounds can be vital for safety and effectiveness. Other prefixes listed refer to different scales: "nano-" signifies one billionth (10^-9), "milli-" signifies one thousandth (10^-3), and "pico-" refers to one trillionth (10^-12). Understanding these prefixes helps in accurately interpreting measurements and quantities in both theoretical and practical applications within various disciplines, including esthetics.