How Big is a Billion? And Other Amazing Number Facts
The Stories That Numbers Tell
A calm and curious guide for kids who love big numbers. Explore fascinating facts about millions, billions, googols, and more in a simple, pressure-free way.
Have you ever wondered what a number really means? How long would it take to count to a million? What’s the biggest number with a name? Every number has a story, and the biggest numbers tell the most amazing stories of all. Let’s explore some of our favourites together.
A Universe of Numbers to Discover
From a googol to Graham's Number, explore a world of fascinating numbers with articles written to inspire and celebrate a love for math.
What Is a Googol? A Fun Look at This Massive Number
Explore the number googol, a one followed by one hundred zeros. We break down this massive number into simple concepts, making it easy to understand and fun to learn.
The Googolplex Meaning: Exploring This Mind-Boggling Number
Discover the mind-boggling size of a googolplex—a one followed by a googol of zeros. Learn about this truly immense number in a way that’s calm and approachable.
Skewes' Number: Supporting Your Child's Passion for Primes
Step into advanced number theory and explore Skewe's Number. This article makes a complex mathematical concept accessible, celebrating the logic and scale of numbers.
The Fascinating Story Behind Graham's Number Explained Simply
Dive into the world's largest number ever used in a mathematical proof! Our simple guide to Graham's Number makes this colossal concept fascinating and easy to understand.
The Centillion Number: Origins and Cultural Significance
The Centillion Number is one that stirs both curiosity and amazement, offering a glimpse into the immense scale of numerical systems. Its sheer size may be difficult to fathom, but it holds a unique charm for children who are drawn to the intricacies of patterns and systems.
Your Guide to Giant Numbers
Here are a few of our favourite giant numbers. Each one is a doorway to understanding just how amazing our universe is. There’s no test at the end—just the joy of discovery.
What is a Million?
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A million is one thousand thousands. It’s the number that comes after 999,999 and has a 1 followed by six zeros.
If you started counting and never stopped, it would take you almost 12 days to count to a million!
Did You Know? There are more than a million tiny hexagonal lenses in a bee’s eye, helping it see the world in amazing detail.
What is a Billion?
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A billion is one thousand millions. It’s a 1 followed by nine zeros.
A billion seconds is nearly 32 years! That’s longer than most of your parents have been adults.
Did You Know? The Earth is home to almost 8 billion people, and every single one is unique.
What is a Trillion?
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A billion is one thousand millions. It’s a 1 followed by nine zeros.
A billion seconds is nearly 32 years! That’s longer than most of your parents have been adults.
Did You Know? The Earth is home to almost 8 billion people, and every single one is unique.
What is a Googol?
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A googol is a 1 followed by one hundred zeros. It’s a number so big, we don’t have enough room to write it all out here!
A googol is bigger than the total number of atoms in the entire known universe. It’s a number we can think about, but can’t really “see.”
Did You Know? The name “Googol” was invented by a nine-year-old boy named Milton Sirotta in 1920. The search engine “Google” is a misspelling of this name!
See a Big Number Come to Life
See what a big number is made of! Type any number up to 999,999 into our Mini Number Deconstructor below. We’ll show you all the smaller parts hidden inside. It’s a fun way to see how numbers work.
Enjoy this? The full Big Number Academy app features the complete Deconstructor with even more ways to explore.
Our Philiosophey
Why We Love Big Numbers
Our fascination with big numbers comes from the same place as our apps and activities—a love for patterns, order, and joyful discovery.
- A World of Wonder:
Big numbers help us understand the scale of the universe, from the cells in our bodies to the stars in the sky. They spark curiosity and invite us to ask amazing questions. - Calm in the Patterns:
For many brilliant minds, the logic and order of the number system is a beautiful and calming thing. Exploring these patterns is a satisfying and joyful experience. - Confidence in Knowledge:
Learning these facts isn’t about memorizing for a test. It’s about empowering children with fascinating knowledge they can be proud of and share with others.
