Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Correct
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Standardized prefixes keep communication clear across disciplines. In electronics, you will see gigahertz for radio bands, gigabytes for storage marketing (with caveats), and gigohms for very high resistances. Understanding what “giga” means avoids order-of-magnitude mistakes in design and procurement.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
By SI definition, giga denotes a multiplication factor of 10^9. This is exact and does not depend on the underlying physical quantity. While computer memory historically used base-2 interpretations (e.g., 1 GB ≈ 2^30 bytes), SI clarifies that binary prefixes are different (gibi, Gi = 2^30). In scientific and engineering notation, G always means 10^9.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Cross-check with other prefixes: mega (M) = 10^6, kilo (k) = 10^3, tera (T) = 10^12. The sequence increases by powers of 10^3 as expected, placing giga squarely at 10^9.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Using uppercase/lowercase incorrectly (G for giga vs. g for gram); mixing GB and GiB; assuming unit symbols alter the meaning of the prefix (they do not).
Final Answer:
Correct
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