octillion
/ɔk'tiljən/
Definition
- Noun:
- A cardinal number: In mathematics, an octillion is a specific large number. Its value depends on the numbering system used.
- In the short scale system (used in the US, UK, and most English-speaking countries): An octillion is the number represented as 1 followed by 27 zeros (10²⁷).
- In the long scale system (used in some European countries): An octillion is the number represented as 1 followed by 48 zeros (10⁴⁸). This meaning is now rare in modern English.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The estimated number of stars in the observable universe is in the octillions.
- In the short scale, one octillion is written as 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific Notation: Often expressed as 10²⁷ (short scale) or 10⁴⁸ (long scale) to avoid writing out numerous zeros.
- The mass of the Earth in kilograms is approximately 6 × 10²⁴, which is still a few thousand times less than an octillion.
- Contextual Clarification: It is often necessary to specify "short scale octillion" or "long scale octillion" in international or historical contexts to avoid ambiguity.
Variants and Related Words
- Octillionth (ordinal number, adjective & noun): Constituting number octillion in a sequence; one of octillion equal parts.
- He calculated the value to the nearest octillionth.
Synonyms
- 10²⁷ (for the short scale): The mathematical expression.
- A thousand quadrillion (short scale, non-standard): A descriptive phrase, though "quadrillion" itself can be ambiguous.
Notes on Meaning
- The primary and most common meaning in contemporary English is the short scale value (10²⁷). The long scale meaning is largely archaic in everyday English but may appear in historical texts or specific regional contexts. The default interpretation in modern scientific and general use is the short scale.
Noun
-
the number that is represented as a one followed by 27 zeros
