After a trillion, the sequence of large numbers continues to increase in magnitude, each with a value that is a thousand times larger than the previous one. The naming convention for these large numbers is consistent within the short scale, which is used predominantly in the United States, and differs from the long scale used in many other countries. Here’s a detailed look at what comes after a trillion in the short scale, which is commonly used in financial and scientific contexts in the United States:
Quadrillion: Following a trillion, the next number is a quadrillion, which is 1,000 trillion, or 10^15 (1 followed by 15 zeros).
Quintillion: After a quadrillion comes a quintillion, which is 1,000 quadrillion, or 10^18 (1 followed by 18 zeros).
Sextillion: The sextillion follows the quintillion, amounting to 1,000 quintillion, or 10^21 (1 followed by 21 zeros).
Septillion: Next is a septillion, which is 1,000 sextillion, or 10^24 (1 followed by 24 zeros).
Octillion: An octillion follows the septillion, representing 1,000 septillion, or 10^27 (1 followed by 27 zeros).
Nonillion: After an octillion is a nonillion, which equals 1,000 octillion, or 10^30 (1 followed by 30 zeros).
Decillion: The sequence continues with a decillion, which is 1,000 nonillion, or 10^33 (1 followed by 33 zeros).
These large numbers, though rarely used in daily life, are essential in various fields such as astronomy, where distances and quantities can be astronomical in scale, or in the realm of mathematics when dealing with theoretical concepts. In finance and economics, these terms might be used more figuratively to describe vast amounts of currency or debt, although actual quantities rarely reach beyond the trillions in most practical contexts.
Understanding the progression of these numbers is not only crucial for mathematical precision but also enriches our comprehension of the vastness and scalability of numerical values, especially in scientific calculations and theoretical explorations.
Is A Zillion a Real Number?
The term "zillion" is not a real number but an informal way to describe an indeterminately large quantity. It's often used in hyperbolic expressions to convey the idea of an unimaginably large amount, rather than a precise value. Unlike defined large numbers such as millions, billions, and trillions, "zillion" does not have a specific place in the numerical hierarchy and is not recognized in formal mathematical or scientific contexts. Similar terms include "jillion," "gazillion," and "bazillion," all of which are used colloquially to express vast, undefined quantities.
What is this number called 1,000,000,000,000,000?
The number 1,000,000,000,000,000 is called a "quadrillion" in the short scale, which is predominantly used in the United States and a few other countries. In the long scale, used in many other parts of the world, this number would be referred to as a "thousand billion" or "billiard." The short scale and long scale differ in naming large numbers, but both systems escalate in increments of a thousand after reaching a million. Therefore, in the short scale, a quadrillion is the number after a trillion, represented as 10^15 (1 followed by 15 zeros).
What's after a Sextillion?
After a sextillion, the next number is a "septillion" in the short scale numbering system. A sextillion represents 10^21 (1 followed by 21 zeros), making a septillion equal to 10^24 (1 followed by 24 zeros), or 1,000 sextillions. The progression in the short scale continues by multiples of a thousand from one named number to the next, moving from million, billion, trillion, and so forth, with sextillion followed by septillion, octillion, and so on.
What Comes After Gazillion?
Like "zillion," "gazillion" is not a real number but rather a colloquial term used to describe a vast, undefined quantity. Therefore, asking what comes after a gazillion is akin to exploring what comes after an undefined concept. In formal and mathematical contexts, numbers proceed in a well-defined sequence that includes million, billion, trillion, quadrillion, quintillion, and so on, according to the short scale numbering system. Each of these has a specific, defined value, unlike "gazillion," which does not fit into this precise numerical sequence.
In summary, while "zillion" and "gazillion" serve as informal terms to express the concept of large, indeterminate amounts, the progression of real numbers follows a structured and defined system, moving from millions to billions, trillions, and beyond, with each step representing a thousand-fold increase from the previous term.
