Last updated on July 22nd, 2025
In mathematics, a billion is an enormous number written as 1 followed by 9 zeros or 1,000,000,000. It is also referred to as a thousand million, since it is equal to 1000 × 1,000,000. The prefix “giga” in the term “gigameter” represents ‘billion’, and one gigameter is one billion meters. We can represent a billion in two different notations: the short scale and the long scale. In the short scale, commonly used in the United States, a billion is represented as 109, or 1,000,000,000, which is 1 followed by 9 zeros. In the long scale, used in France and Germany, a billion is represented as 1012 or 1,000,000,000,000, which is 1 followed by 12 zeros.
A billion has 10 digits, including the leading 1 and 9 zeros. It is equivalent to 1,000,000,000 or 109. It is the same as one thousand million, and it is the smallest 10-digit number in math. In financial and informal occasions, we represent a billion with the letter “B”, and there are two notation systems used to represent large numbers: the short scale and the long scale.
The large numbers expressed in the powers of one million (1,000,000) in the long scale system. For instance, a billion is a million millions (1012) and a trillion is a million billions (1018). In the short scale system, they are expressed in the powers of one thousand (1,000). For instance, a billion is a thousand millions (109) and a trillion is a thousand billions (1012).
The twelve places in the international place value chart are divided into four periods - ones, thousands, millions, and billions, starting from the right. In each period, there are three place values or positions. Take a look at the given international place value chart.
For instance, 1 billion is written as 1,000,000,000 in the international place value chart.
Have you ever thought about how many zeros are in a million and a billion? One billion is equal to one thousand million. We can write 1 million as 1,000,000, which has six zeros, while 1 billion as 1,000,000,000, which has nine zeros.
1 billion = 1,000 × 1,000,000 = 1,000 million
The value of numbers increases from right to left in a number system. It increases from million, billion, and trillion. In the short scale system, if we multiply 1000 by a million, we get a billion. Likewise, we get a trillion when we multiply 1000 by a billion. Take a look at the image below to understand it better.
Features | Trillion | Billion | Million |
Explanation | A trillion is the product of multiplying a billion by one thousand. | It is the product of multiplying a thousand by a million. | It is the product of multiplying a thousand by another thousand. |
Standard form | 1,000,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
Scientific notation | 1 × 1012 | 1 × 109 | 1 × 106 |
Number of zeros | 12 | 9 | 6 |
Also known as | Thousand billion | Thousand million | Thousand thousand |
To avoid mistakes when working with billions, we need to keep some tips and tricks in mind. They will help us easily distinguish a billion from other large numbers.
A billion is a huge number that can be used to represent a large population, money, and statistics. Here are some real-life applications of billions:
When interpreting large numbers, such as million, billion, and trillion, students need to learn the place values of a number system. However, they often make some errors when they work with billions, leading to confusion and misinterpretations. Here are some common mistakes and helpful solutions to avoid these errors.
Write the following numbers in expanded sentence form. a) 3,111,053,231, b) 8,982,541,095
3,111,053,231 = Three billion one hundred eleven million fifty-three thousand two hundred thirty-one.
8,982,541,095 = Eight billion nine hundred eighty-two million five hundred forty-one thousand ninety-five.
To write the given numbers in their expanded form, first, we need to find the place values.
a) 3,111,053,231
Billions | Millions | Thousands | Ones
3 | 111 | 053 | 231
Now, we can break it down:
3,111,053,231 = Three billion one hundred eleven million fifty-three thousand two hundred thirty-one.
Now, let us expand the second number:
b) 8,982,541,095
Next, find the place values:
Billions | Millions | Thousands | Ones
8 | 982 | 541 | 095
Now, break it down:
8,982,541,095 = Eight billion nine hundred eighty-two million five hundred forty-one thousand ninety-five.
If Peter saves $5,000,000 per year and David also saves $5,000,000 per year, how many months would it take them together to save a total of $1 billion?
1,200 months
In order to become billionaires, Peter and David need to save $1,000,000,000 (1 billion).
Together they save:
5,000,000 + 5,000,000 = 10,000,000 per year
Now, we can calculate how many years it would take to reach 1 billion:
1,000,000,000 ÷ 10,000,000 = 100 years
Next, we can convert years into months:
100 × 12 = 1,200 months
It would take 1,200 months for Peter and David together to save $1 billion.
Nike had a revenue of 6.9 billion dollars last year. This year, their revenue increased by 70%. What is their new revenue?
11.73 billion dollars.
Last year’s revenue = $6.9 billion.
This year, revenue increased by 70%.
70% of $6.9 billion = 70/100 × 6.9 = 4.83 billion.
Hence, the new revenue is:
6.9 + 4.83 = 11.73 billion dollars.
Thus, Nike’s new revenue for this period is 11.72 billion dollars.
Mary’s YouTube channel had 3.5 billion subscribers last month. This month, her subscriber count decreased by 2%. What is her new subscriber count?
New subscriber count is 3.43 billion.
Last month’s subscribers = 3.5 billion
It decreased by 2%.
To find the decrease, we calculate 2% of 3.5 billion = 2/100 = 0.02
0.02 × 3.5 = 0.07 billion
New subscriber count = 3.5 - 0.07 = 3.43 billion
Hence, Mary now has 3.43 billion subscribers after a 2% decrease.
CMS Hospital spent 8.7 billion dollars on new hospital technology and machinery. They also spent 1.5 billion dollars on healthcare education. What is their total expense?
10.2 billion dollars.
To find the total, we need to add the two amounts together.
8.7 billion + 1.5 billion = 10.2 billion dollars
The total expense is 10.2 billion dollars.
Hence, CMS Hospital spent a total of 10.2 billion dollars for hospital technology, machinery, and healthcare education.
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.