In order to better communicate measurements, we needed a standardized system of units, which every scientist and measure could use to share their findings. This standardized system has come to be called the International System of Units, abbreviated SI.
While we can still use units like feet or miles for distance (instead of meters), liters to describe volume (instead of m3), and Fahrenheit or Celsius to describe temperature (instead of °K), the units above are a standardized way for every scientist to share their measurements. Using the units above means everyone is speaking the same language.
When first learning about metric prefixes, chances are you were taught these six prefixes first: