Definition

1. Noun:
   • A specific large number: A quintillion is the cardinal number represented by the numeral 1 followed by 18 zeros (1,000,000,000,000,000,000). It is equal to 10^18.

Usage

• Context: The word "quintillion" is used primarily in scientific, mathematical, financial, and statistical contexts to denote an extremely large quantity.
• Grammar: It functions as a singular noun (e.g., , ) or as a determiner before a plural noun (e.g., ).

Examples

• As a Noun:
  • The estimated number of grains of sand on Earth is in the quintillions.
  • A quintillion is a thousand times larger than a quadrillion.
• As a Determiner:
  • The national debt reached several quintillion dollars in the futuristic simulation.
  • The supercomputer can perform a quintillion calculations per second.

Advanced Usage

• Short Scale vs. Long Scale: In modern American English and most English-speaking countries, the "short scale" system is used, where "quintillion" equals 10^18. Historically, some European countries used a "long scale" system where "quintillion" could mean 10^30. The short scale definition is now standard in international scientific and financial English.
  • Short Scale (Standard): billion=10^9, trillion=10^12, quadrillion=10^15, quintillion=10^18.
• Scientific Notation: It is commonly expressed as 10^18 or 1E18 in scientific and technical writing.
  • The data set contained over 1.5 x 10^18 (one and a half quintillion) data points.

Variants and Related Words

• Quintillionth (ordinal number, adjective, noun): Constituting number one in a quintillion; one of a quintillion equal parts.
  • He finished in quintillionth place in the massive online competition.
  • A quintillionth of a second is an incredibly short period of time.

Synonyms

• 10^18: (Mathematical expression)
• A billion billions: (Informal description, as a billion is 10^9, and 10^9 x 10^9 = 10^18)

Related Phrases

• Orders of magnitude: This phrase is used when comparing sizes where one number is a power of ten (like a quintillion) larger than another.
  • The energy output of the star was several orders of magnitude greater, moving from quadrillions to quintillions of joules.

Noun

1. the number that is represented as a one followed by 18 zeros