...k? ... a synonym for 1000?

[Fan of Arabian horses]

Hi!

Recently I often came across the abbreviation "k". For instance in the radio when they are reporting about traffic jams : 5k (obviously meaning 5000 meters/5 Kilometers) or something else. Also it was used in a topic at this site $50k.

Now I wonder whether it is a synonym for thousand and for what occassions k can be used?

Michael

[Tamara]

Hi Michael!

In Computing 1K (1 kilobyte) = 1024 bites
(1024 = 2^10)
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Yankee]

Hi Michael

You aren't likely to hear a radio announcement about a 5k traffic jam in the US. We'd say something like "a 3-mile back-up" instead.

Amy