Metric System

Decimal System

Definition

A base-10 numbering system in which each place value is ten times the next smaller value, forming the mathematical foundation of the metric system.

Explanation

The decimal system uses ten digits (0–9) and positional notation: in 1,234.56, the '1' represents 1,000, '2' represents 200, '3' represents 30, '4' represents 4, '5' represents 0.5, and '6' represents 0.06. Metric prefixes exploit this structure — kilo (×1,000), hecto (×100), deca (×10), deci (÷10), centi (÷100), milli (÷1,000) — making unit conversion as simple as moving a decimal point.

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RELATED TERMS

Metric Prefix

A prefix that indicates a decimal multiple or fraction of a unit (kilo-, mega-, milli-, micro-, etc.).

Hectare

A metric unit of area equal to 10,000 square meters or 2.471 acres.

Bar

A unit of pressure equal to 100,000 pascals, slightly less than standard atmospheric pressure.

Metric System

A decimal-based international system of measurement built on seven SI base units, used officially by every country in the world except the United States, Myanmar, and Liberia.

CGS System

A metric unit system based on the centimeter, gram, and second as fundamental units, used in some branches of physics and electromagnetism.