I’ve learned about them in school, but I’ve never heard anyone say something is 8 decameters long or anything like that. I’m an American.

  • empireOfLove@lemmy.one
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    1 year ago

    They are “technically correct” measurements since they are a valid prefix, and could be used if you wanted. but they are very infrequently used in any industry. Since most of the time measurements are better served by higher precision (just using Meters) or need no precision at all over long distance (switch to kilometers), no need for excess measurement types unless necessary

      • empireOfLove@lemmy.one
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        1 year ago

        Well he asked about deca and hectometers, which are all larger-than meters.

        But the same kind of rules apply below the decimal point as above it. We have millimeters (0.001 extreme precision), centimeters (0.01 high precision), and meters (1 low-ish precision). Decimeters (0.1) exist but are rarely used since both meters and centimeters can get the same result. Micro meters and nanometers are also used more frequently, but it becomes industry specific when actually doing things that small.

      • Provoked Gamer@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        Centimetres and meters are the two I use the most and see the most used, then kilometres at a close third.