What prefix represents a factor of 10^-2?

The prefix that represents a factor of 10^-2 is "centi." The term "centi-" is derived from the Latin word "centum," which means "hundred." In the metric system, "centi-" indicates one-hundredth of a unit, which mathematically is represented as 1/100 or, equivalently, 10^-2.

For example, a centimeter is one-hundredth of a meter, so there are 100 centimeters in a meter. This relationship is essential in understanding how different units in the metric system relate to one another.

The other prefixes referenced represent different factors: "deci-" indicates a factor of 10^-1 (one-tenth), "hecto-" represents 10^2 (one hundred), and "micro-" is for 10^-6 (one-millionth). Each of these prefixes serves a specific purpose in the metric system, but for 10^-2, "centi-" is the correct choice.