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The prefix 'centi' represents a factor of 10 to the power of negative 2, or 10⁻². This is part of the metric system where prefixes specify the multiples or fractions of units. Specifically, 'centi' means one-hundredth of a unit. For example, one centimeter is equal to one one-hundredth of a meter, which can be expressed mathematically as 1 cm = 0.01 m, or 1 cm = 1/100 m, indicating that 'centi' denotes a factor of 10⁻². Understanding this is crucial as it helps in converting between different metric units effectively.