Making a trillion is harder in the UK
Q: The revelation about the difference a few zeros makes depending on which shore you
live on was quite interesting (Author note: our trillion is equivalent to the U.K. billion. See
Billions column). A trillion in the U.S. is 1 followed by 12 zeros, or 1 x 10 to the 12th. Do
our European cousins equate a trillion to 1 followed by 18 zeros, similar to their method of
defining a billion? That is, a trillion = tri-million? Just curious, and always enjoying your
column.
A: Yes. The British define a trillion as tri-million or three "million" written side by side and
meaning a million million million or 1 x 10 to the 18th power. The method continues:
- billion = bi+(m)illon=million million = 1x10 to the 12th
- trillion = tri+(m)illon=million million million = 1x10 to the 18th
- quadrillion = quad+(m)illon=million million million million = 1x10 to the 24th
. . .
- centillion = cent+(m)illon=million million . . . million = 1x10 to the 600th
Some sources say this usage is now obsolete.
(Answered by April Holladay, science correspondent, April 18, 2001)
Further Surfing:
Peter Burden: U.S. vs U.K. spelling and usage
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