To answer your question, k, kilo and other metric symbols and prefixes are often used with non-metric units.  K and kilo are casually used to mean 1000 of anything, or sometimes 1024.
 
There is a metric unit of currency.  The decree of April 7, 1795, introducing the metric system with the m�tre, gramme and litre, along with prefixes such as kilo, the list of units ended with the following:
 
 Enfin, I'unit� des monnaies prendra le nom de franc, pour remplacer celui de livre usit� jusqu'aujourd'hui. 
 
(Lastly, the unit of currency will take the name of franc, to replace that of livre used until today.)
 
According to the rules of prefixes given, there should be kilofranc, decifranc, centifranc, etc.  However, one unit is excepted from the rules:
 
 Cependant, lorsqu'on voudra exprimer les dixi�mes ou les centi�mes du franc, unit� des monnaies, on se servira des mots d�cime et centime, d�j� re�us en vertu des d�crets ant�rieurs. 
 
(However, when one wants to express the tenths or the hundredths of the franc, unit of currency, the words decime and centime will be used, already received under the terms of the former decrees.)
 
 
Of the 6 original metric units, "metre" and "gramme" are part of SI, although redefined.  "Litre" and "are" are not part of SI, although they are accepted for use with SI.  The "stere" is now called simply "cubic meter".  I know that the franc is not part of SI, but I'm not sure if the euro is. ;-)
 
John
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 9:09 AM
Subject: [USMA:31643] Money

Hello everyone. I was watching t v last night.  they were talking about money. They were talking about $50000 and used the term 50 k. i hope this isn't a stupid question but is the term k a slang term for multiples of $1000? I hope you don't laugh at me but does k mean kilodollars? I have only heard the term recently. My wife was reading me some house adds in our local paper for houses a few months ago and one of the adds had the price for the house in k's. Thank you very much for your time. John Mercer.         

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