We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Science

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

When Is a Billion Not a Billion?

Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,121
References
Share

It's one thing for a Brit and an American to debate whether the correct word is "elevator" or "lift," "boot" or "trunk," but would you have thought the linguistic disagreement could include numbers, as well?

Prior to 1974, the meaning of "billion" was drastically different on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In the United Kingdom, a billion meant a million million, or 1 followed by 12 zeros, while in the United States, it meant a thousand million, or 1 followed by 9 zeros. That's a big difference, and it didn't end there. The same problem plagued the lesser-used terms "trillion," "quadrillion," and "quintillion."

Luckily for everyone, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson decided to rid the British of the extra zeros and conform to the American -- and international -- definition. In response to a parliamentary question, Wilson wrote: "The word 'billion' is now used internationally to mean 1,000 million and it would be confusing if British Ministers were to use it in any other sense."

Now, if we could just come to an agreement on whether The Office is better with Ricky Gervais or Steve Carell...

Number, please:

  • The word "hundred" is derived from the Old Norse word hundrath, which means 120, not 100, thanks to the duodecimal system on which it was based.

  • The Romans had no zero, which explains why every number can be written in Roman numerals except 0.

  • 1 is not a prime number, but 2 is, and is the only even number among all primes.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://direct.wisegeek.com/when-is-a-billion-not-a-billion.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.