Largest Number

Largest number is mathematically meaningless (since in the usual system of integers, any number may be increased by adding one to it); however, the term may refer to:

  • Names of large numbers, for the largest numbers with names
  • Infinity, a concept which can be used as a largest number in some contexts
  • Graham's number, once claimed as the largest number ever used in a serious mathematical proof
  • Large numbers, for notations to exactly specify very large numbers

In computers:

  • The constant 32767, 2147483647, or 9223372036854775807, in a word of 16, 32, or 64 bits in two's-complement format
  • The constant 65535, 4294967295, or 18446744073709551615, in a word of 16, 32, or 64 bits with no sign bit
  • The constant 3.4028235e+38 or 1.7976931348623157e+308, in a word of 32 or 64 bits using the binary IEEE 754-2008 floating-point representation

Famous quotes containing the words largest and/or number:

    “The eager fate which carried thee
    Took the largest part of me:
    For this losing is true dying;
    This is lordly man’s down-lying,
    This his slow but sure reclining,
    Star by star his world resigning.”
    —Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    “I heartily wish you, in the plain home-spun style, a great number of happy new years, well employed in forming both your mind and your manners, to be useful and agreeable to yourself, your country, and your friends.”
    —Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)