prefixes and powers

[slik2000]

ok so i came across a calculation the other day im not sure i understand and was wondering if someone could help explain it
ok so according to calculators and Google 10^(-3) = 0.001
so that means 10^(-3) kg = 1 gram
so how doesnt 10^(-3)kg = 10 grams

[Kelly_Bramble]

Let's re-write 10^(-3)
it is actually = 1 x 10^(-3)

Moving the decimal point to the left three place on the 1 (because the power is -3)

we get .001 - just like Google calculator

So, 10^(-3) kg = 1 x 10^(-3) kg or .001 kg or 1 g

and

10^(-3)kg = 1 x 10^(-3)kg = .001 kg = 1 grams

kg = Kilograms or three places to the right of the decimal point.

[Timelord]

Because 10 to the zero power is equal to one, not ten!

Timelord