Billion Billion

Billion - Definition

The word "billion", and its equivalents in other languages, refer to one of two different numbers.

1012 The original meaning, established in the 15th century, was "a million of a million" (1,000,0002, hence the name billion), or 1012 = 1 000 000 000 000. This system, known in French as the échelle longue ("long scale"), is currently used in most countries where English is not the primary language.
109 In the late 17th century a change was made in the way of writing large numbers. Previously, numbers were written separated into groups of six digits; subsequently, the modern grouping of three digits came into use. As a result, a minority of Italian and French scientists began using the word "billion" to mean 109 (one thousand million, or 1 000 000 000), and correspondingly redefined trillion etc. to mean powers of one thousand rather than one million. This is known in French as the échelle courte ("short scale") and is now officially used by all English-speaking countries, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Russia, Turkey and Greece. Articles in the English Wikipedia that don't state otherwise use this convention as well.

Use of "thousand million" for 109 and "million million" for 1012 avoids ambiguity. The old word "milliard", also found in many other languages, can be used for 109, but this usage is unfamiliar to many native English speakers. See long scale for a more detailed discussion and usage advice.

See also

Math

  • 1 E9 (or 1 E12) for a list of occurrences of numbers of this magnitude

External links

Billion - Example Usage
hsbusiness: NAB faces £640m charge for overhaul of bank: BANKING analysts are warning it may cost up to AUS$1 billion (£640 ... http://t.co/PEmQJ7T7
xMileySellyDemi: RT @PerfectlyMiley: I look up to Miley because she used to be locked in bathrooms by bullies & now she has a billion dollar franchise. Miley Is Our Sunshine
fruitspread: pr?A billion paths are here inside me? pr?yes, yes, yes, Bernhard, 110? pr?potential, jewels, jewels, yes, jewels? %
REALseanLujan: RT @FunnyFacts: Astronomers suggest that 10 billion earth-like planets may exist in our galaxy.
borgmadeleine: RT @_RyanFenech: @borgmadeleine swagger on 3 billion *turns swagger onto 3 billion*
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