Extension to the range of prefixes for binary multiples

Abstract This letter summarises the history of prefixes for binary multiples and introduces the new binary prefixes that are now officially available for use following an update to the IEC 80000-13 documentary standard on Information Science and Technology, the successor to the document where the binary prefixes were originally introduced in 1999. These new binary prefixes mirror the new SI prefix multiples that were approved at the 27th CGPM in 2022. The difference between the numerical size of equivalent binary and decimal prefixes is highlighted, emphasizing the need to use the appropriate prefix type to ensure unambiguous communication, especially for data science and information technology applications where both sets of prefixes are regularly used together with the non-SI units bit and byte.

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Publication Details

Journal
Metrologia
Published
2025-02-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1088/1681-7575/adb28f
Primary Topic
semigroups and automata theory
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Extension to the range of prefixes for binary multiples

Richard J. C. Brown
Metrologia
semigroups and automata theory
article

Extension to the range of prefixes for binary multiples

Richard J. C. Brown
article en

Abstract

Abstract This letter summarises the history of prefixes for binary multiples and introduces the new binary prefixes that are now officially available for use following an update to the IEC 80000-13 documentary standard on Information Science and Technology, the successor to the document where the binary prefixes were originally introduced in 1999. These new binary prefixes mirror the new SI prefix multiples that were approved at the 27th CGPM in 2022. The difference between the numerical size of equivalent binary and decimal prefixes is highlighted, emphasizing the need to use the appropriate prefix type to ensure unambiguous communication, especially for data science and information technology applications where both sets of prefixes are regularly used together with the non-SI units bit and byte.

MetrologiaVol. 62(2)
National Physical Laboratory (GB), University of Surrey (GB)
Openalex Percentile: Top 97%
semigroups and automata theory
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