Long Scale vs Short Scale: Understanding the Differences in Large Number Systems

When it comes to large numbers above a million, there are two main numerical systems that can cause confusion: the long scale and the short scale. These systems are used in different parts of the world and define the nomenclature for large numbers differently. In this article, we will explore the differences between the long and short scales and understand how they are used.

What Are the Long Scale and Short Scale?

The long scale and the short scale are two numbering systems used to express large numbers. The main difference between the two systems lies in the value assigned to terms like «billion,» «trillion,» and so forth.

Long Scale

The long scale is a numerical system where each new term greater than a million is one thousand times larger than the previous term. This system is traditionally used in many European countries and some other parts of the world.

• Million: ( 10^6) or 1,000,000
• Milliard: ( 10^9) or 1,000,000,000
• - Billion: ( 10^12) or 1,000,000,000,000
• - Billiard: ( 10^15)
• - Trillion: ( 10^18)

And so on, where «billion» indicates a million millions, «trillion» indicates a million billions, and so forth.

Short Scale

The short scale, on the other hand, is a numerical system where each new term greater than a million is 1,000 times larger than the previous term. This system is widely used in the United States, the United Kingdom (since 1974), and other English-speaking countries.

• Million: (10^6) or 1,000,000
• Billion: (10^9) or 1,000,000,000
• Trillion**: (10^12)
• Quadrillion: (10^15)
• Quintillion: (10^18)

In this system, «billion» represents a thousand millions, «trillion» represents a thousand billions, and so on.

Practical Implications

The differences between the long and short scales can lead to significant misunderstandings, especially in the fields of finance, economics, or science. For example, a «billion» in the long scale is equivalent to a «trillion» in the short scale. This can have enormous implications when dealing with figures related to a country’s GDP, national debt, or when quantifying natural resources or demographic sizes.

Usage Around the World

The short scale is prevalent in the English-speaking world, including the United States and Canada. The long scale, on the other hand, is used throughout much of Europe, Latin America, and in other countries that follow the continental European tradition. It’s important to note that the United Kingdom officially adopted the short scale in the 1970s, but many Britons are still familiar with the long scale.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between the long and short scales is crucial to avoid confusion when dealing with large numbers on an international scale. It is always important to clarify which system is being used in a given context, especially in documents that may be read in countries with different conventions. With globalization and more frequent interactions between countries with diverse conventions, clarity in the communication of large numbers is more important than ever.