In the metric system, what does the prefix 'kilo-' represent?

In the metric system, the prefix 'kilo-' specifically denotes a factor of 1000. This means that when 'kilo-' is prefixed to a unit of measurement, it indicates that the measurement is multiplied by 1000. For example, a kilometer is equal to 1000 meters, and a kilogram is equal to 1000 grams. The use of 'kilo-' is standard in scientific, engineering, and everyday measurements, making it a fundamental concept in understanding the metric system.

Other choices represent different factors that do not apply in this context. For instance, 100 would correspond to the prefix 'hecto-', while 10 is represented by 'deka-', and 10000 is not a standard prefix in this system. This understanding of metric prefixes is crucial for power engineering, where precise measurements are key to system operations and efficiency.