On 2007 Jan 26 , at 12:06 AM, Pat Naughtin wrote:
Since that time, one finds that in most areas, ONLY the powers of
1000 are used. However, hecto-, deca-, deci- and centi- ARE STILL
A PART of SI and there are a number of areas in which some of them
are in quite common use.
The hectare is in fairly common use, but I'm stretching to find
many others.
There aren't many DIFFERENT uses of the other (non-power of 1000)
prefixes being used, but those few uses are quite prevalent.
Certainly the centimetre is so common that strenuous efforts will
need to be exerted to try to expunge it from use almost everywhere,
from the science laboratory to the clothing industry and beyond.
Decilitres and centilitres are very prevalent for beverages in Europe
and in some cases may, I believe, be required by law. They are also
used in cooking (at least in French cooking, as I learned in private
correspondence with Julia Child some years ago).
These are only a couple different units, but ones which are in
widespread use.
Unfortunately, hectopascals have recently been introduced for
atmospheric pressure and may become commonly used.
I'm sure there are others of which I am unaware.
Bill Hooper
1810 mm tall
Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA
