Alphabetizing the Integers

Authors

Edward R. Wolpow

Abstract

Only an infinitesimal part of all integers have English-language names. NI3 allows us to name, gaplessly, all the integers up to 10⁶³ (one vigintillion), and, by using standard terminology, up to 10⁶⁶ - 1 (nine hundred ninety-nine vigintillion, nine hundred ... thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine). There follows a huge unnamed gap up to 10³⁰³ (one centillion). If all the integers up to 10⁶⁶ - 1 were written out, they could, in theory, be alphabetized. Let us decide to eliminate the 'and's from alphabetization, and further stipulate that the higher powers of ten must be preceded by low-number modifiers -- for example, 'one thousand' rather than 'thousand'.

Recommended Citation

Wolpow, Edward R. (1980) "Alphabetizing the Integers," Word Ways: Vol. 13 : Iss. 1 , Article 15.
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/wordways/vol13/iss1/15