The sequence is thousand, million, billion.
In English, large numbers are grouped into sets of three digits, each with its own name:
- Thousand = 1,000 (10^3)
- Million = 1,000,000 (10^6)
- Billion = 1,000,000,000 (10^9)
Each new term is 1,000 times larger than the previous one.
- 1,000 = one thousand
- 1,000,000 = one million
- 1,000,000,000 = one billion
This system helps make very large numbers easier to understand and use.
Using "Thousand"
- "Thousand" is used for numbers from 1,000 up to 999,999.
- Numbers are often written with commas for clarity: 1,234 = one thousand two hundred thirty-four.
2,500 is 'two thousand five hundred.'
'Thousand' is used up to 999,999.
- 1,000 = one thousand
- 23,000 = twenty-three thousand
- 999,999 = nine hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine
Using "Million"
- "Million" is used for numbers from 1,000,000 up to 999,999,999.
- The same pattern applies: 1,000,000 = one million, 2,500,000 = two million five hundred thousand.
3,200,000 is 'three million two hundred thousand.'
'Million' is used starting at one million.
- 1,000,000 = one million
- 5,000,000 = five million
- 123,456,789 = one hundred twenty-three million four hundred fifty-six thousand seven hundred eighty-nine
Using "Billion"
- "Billion" is used for numbers from 1,000,000,000 and above.
- 1,000,000,000 = one billion.
- 2,500,000,000 = two billion five hundred million.
4,000,000,000 is 'four billion.'
'Billion' is used for numbers one billion and above.
- 1,000,000,000 = one billion
- 10,000,000,000 = ten billion
- 1,234,567,890 = one billion two hundred thirty-four million five hundred sixty-seven thousand eight hundred ninety
Summary
| Term | Number | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Thousand | 1,000 (10^3) | 4,321 = four thousand three hundred twenty-one |
| Million | 1,000,000 (10^6) | 3,000,000 = three million |
| Billion | 1,000,000,000 (10^9) | 2,000,000,000 = two billion |
Understanding thousands, millions, and billions helps you read, write, and discuss numbers clearly—whether in money, population, or data.
- Numbers increase by a factor of 1,000 for each new term.
- Use "thousand" up to 999,999; "million" up to 999,999,999; then "billion."
- This system makes very large numbers easier to manage and understand.