The prefix "hecto-" is derived from the Greek word "hekaton," meaning one hundred. It is used in the metric system to denote a factor of one hundred, or 10². For example, one hectometer (hm) is equal to 100 meters, and one hectoliter (hL) is equal to 100 liters. In scientific contexts, "hecto-" helps simplify measurements and conversions. It is commonly used in various fields, including physics, chemistry, and engineering, to express quantities in a more manageable way. Understanding this prefix is essential for working with the metric system effectively.