What is the metric prefix that represents 10^-2?

The metric prefix that represents 10^-2 is "centi." This prefix is used in the metric system to denote one hundredth of a unit. For example, one centimeter is equal to one hundredth of a meter. This system of prefixes allows for the easy scaling of units, enabling measurements to be expressed in more manageable terms.

In contrast, the other prefixes listed relate to different powers of ten: "milli" represents 10^-3, indicating one thousandth of a unit; "micro" denotes 10^-6, which is one millionth; and "nano" signifies 10^-9, or one billionth. Understanding these prefixes and their corresponding values is essential for correctly interpreting and converting measurements in various scientific and engineering contexts.