Googol

/ˈɡuː.ɡɔːl/ noun

Definition

A mathematical term for the number 1 followed by 100 zeros (10^100), an astronomically large number used in mathematics and named by a child.

Etymology

Coined in 1938 by American mathematician Edward Kasner. The word came from his nine-year-old nephew Milton Sirotta, who suggested the name 'googol' for this enormous number. The similar name 'Google' (the search engine) was inspired by 'googol.'

Kelly Says

A nine-year-old boy literally named a mathematical infinity—and the word was so cool that Google later named themselves after it, which means a kid's made-up word became one of the most valuable brands in the world!

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