The Billion Dollar Question
Posted by: Josef EssbergerSo how much is a billion? Answer: 1,000,000,000 (one thousand million) Sub-plot: In American English a billion is 1,000,000,000. In British English a billion used to be, and technically still may be, 1,000,000,000,000 (one million million); but in practical usage British English now treats a billion the same as American English does: 1,000,000,000. Nevertheless, a […]
So how much is a billion?
Answer: 1,000,000,000 (one thousand million)
Sub-plot: In American English a billion is 1,000,000,000. In British English a billion used to be, and technically still may be, 1,000,000,000,000 (one million million); but in practical usage British English now treats a billion the same as American English does: 1,000,000,000.
Nevertheless, a British billionaire is still worth more than an American billionaire (slightly more than twice as much at today’s rate of exchange).
Posted by Josef Essberger February 2008
Josef founded EnglishClub for learners and teachers of English in 1997
3 comments
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bashir says:
Good job hanane! there you go!
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english says:
Thank you Hanane! A British billion times!
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hanane says:
Dear Sir,
In this respect HAPPY VALENTINE DAY a British billion times.