[meteorite-list] Long and Short Scales [WAS: term definitions and usage]
Richard Kowalski
damoclid at yahoo.com
Mon Jul 25 19:06:14 EDT 2011
The discussion is actually about "Long" and "Short" Scales.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_and_short_scales
The first paragraph of the page:
"The long and short scales are two of several different large-number naming systems used throughout the world for integer powers of ten. Many countries, including most in continental Europe, use the long scale whereas most English-speaking countries use the short scale. In all such countries, the number names are translated into the local language, but retain a name similarity due to shared etymology. Some languages, particularly in East Asia, have large number naming systems that are different from the long and short scales."
Actually a very interesting page, including the history of the scales and a listing of their use by country.
Thanks for the discussion. I learned quite a bit!
--
Richard Kowalski
Full Moon Photography
IMCA #1081
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