How Much Is a Trillion Dollars?

>> Bet you didn't know that a trillion ants >> Bet you didn't know that a trillion ants would weigh more [music] than 3,000 would weigh more [music] than 3,000 would weigh more [music] than 3,000 tons. tons. tons. It's true. It's true. It's true. And we can thank mathematicians for And we can thank mathematicians for And we can thank mathematicians for figuring that out. figuring that out. figuring that out. Of course, it would have had to have Of course, it would have had to have Of course, it would have had to have been mathematicians. been mathematicians. been mathematicians. Where would we have found a scale to do Where would we have found a scale to do Where would we have found a scale to do it? And even if we could have found a it? And even if we could have found a it? And even if we could have found a scale, how would we get a trillion ants scale, how would we get a trillion ants scale, how would we get a trillion ants to stand still long enough to be to stand still long enough to be to stand still long enough to be weighed? weighed? weighed? You know, a trillion is not a number you You know, a trillion is not a number you You know, a trillion is not a number you and I are used to considering. In fact, and I are used to considering. In fact, and I are used to considering. In fact, until I was an adult, I'm not sure I until I was an adult, I'm not sure I until I was an adult, I'm not sure I even heard the word. If I did, it was even heard the word. If I did, it was even heard the word. If I did, it was probably a term one of my buddies used probably a term one of my buddies used probably a term one of my buddies used in the fifth grade, and I feel quite in the fifth grade, and I feel quite in the fifth grade, and I feel quite sure it was not used correctly. sure it was not used correctly. sure it was not used correctly. If my memory serves, a trillion was just If my memory serves, a trillion was just If my memory serves, a trillion was just a random number one threw out on the a random number one threw out on the a random number one threw out on the playground to illustrate how much better playground to illustrate how much better playground to illustrate how much better our team was than your team. our team was than your team. our team was than your team. How much better? How much better? How much better? Oh, a trillion times better. Oh, a trillion times better. Oh, a trillion times better. The only numbers higher than a trillion The only numbers higher than a trillion The only numbers higher than a trillion were a triple T trillion, otherwise were a triple T trillion, otherwise were a triple T trillion, otherwise known as a cryillion.

known as a cryillion. known as a cryillion. Then, of course, was the zillion, and 10 Then, of course, was the zillion, and 10 Then, of course, was the zillion, and 10 times that, the bazillion. times that, the bazillion. times that, the bazillion. Then, I grew up and realized there Then, I grew up and realized there Then, I grew up and realized there really was a number called a trillion. really was a number called a trillion. really was a number called a trillion. Still, it wasn't a number that was used Still, it wasn't a number that was used Still, it wasn't a number that was used very often. In fact, it seemed I only very often. In fact, it seemed I only very often. In fact, it seemed I only heard that word when the government was heard that word when the government was heard that word when the government was announcing a bailout or a stimulus announcing a bailout or a stimulus announcing a bailout or a stimulus package. Not that it really mattered. I package. Not that it really mattered. I package. Not that it really mattered. I didn't have a clue how much a trillion didn't have a clue how much a trillion didn't have a clue how much a trillion was anyway. But now, I can explain it. was anyway. But now, I can explain it. was anyway. But now, I can explain it. And in just a few minutes, you and I And in just a few minutes, you and I And in just a few minutes, you and I will both have a clue. will both have a clue. will both have a clue. You know, You know, You know, whether it's a million dollars, a whether it's a million dollars, a whether it's a million dollars, a billion dollars, a hundred billion billion dollars, a hundred billion billion dollars, a hundred billion dollars, 800 billion dollars, or a dollars, 800 billion dollars, or a dollars, 800 billion dollars, or a trillion dollars. These numbers are trillion dollars. These numbers are trillion dollars. These numbers are tossed around like juggling balls. So, I tossed around like juggling balls. So, I tossed around like juggling balls. So, I thought we'd take the time to get a thought we'd take the time to get a thought we'd take the time to get a sense of exactly what these numbers look sense of exactly what these numbers look sense of exactly what these numbers look like. like. like. We'll start with a $100 bill. We'll start with a $100 bill. We'll start with a $100 bill. With Benjamin Franklin on its face, the With Benjamin Franklin on its face, the With Benjamin Franklin on its face, the 100 is currently the largest US 100 is currently the largest US 100 is currently the largest US denomination still in general denomination still in general denomination still in general circulation. Most everyone has seen one circulation. Most everyone has seen one circulation. Most everyone has seen one if only coming out of somebody else's if only coming out of somebody else's if only coming out of somebody else's pocket.

pocket. pocket. A bundle of $100 bills, as they are A bundle of $100 bills, as they are A bundle of $100 bills, as they are wrapped by the bank, is less than 1/2 wrapped by the bank, is less than 1/2 wrapped by the bank, is less than 1/2 inch thick and contains $10,000. inch thick and contains $10,000. inch thick and contains $10,000. That $10,000 fits easily in your pocket That $10,000 fits easily in your pocket That $10,000 fits easily in your pocket and is enough to buy 2,386 and is enough to buy 2,386 and is enough to buy 2,386 Burger King Whoppers. Burger King Whoppers. Burger King Whoppers. Now, million dollars Now, million dollars Now, million dollars is a hundred packets of 10,000. is a hundred packets of 10,000. is a hundred packets of 10,000. It makes a nice little pile It makes a nice little pile It makes a nice little pile that you could stuff into a small duffel that you could stuff into a small duffel that you could stuff into a small duffel bag and walk around with. bag and walk around with. bag and walk around with. A million dollars in hundreds weighs 22 A million dollars in hundreds weighs 22 A million dollars in hundreds weighs 22 pounds. pounds. pounds. And with a million dollars, And with a million dollars, And with a million dollars, you could buy 22,291 pairs of Levi's 501 jeans. pairs of Levi's 501 jeans. 1 million is a one with six zeros after 1 million is a one with six zeros after 1 million is a one with six zeros after it. it. it. 1 million is a thousand thousands. 1 million is a thousand thousands. 1 million is a thousand thousands. 1 million pennies stacked on top of each 1 million pennies stacked on top of each 1 million pennies stacked on top of each other other other would make a tower nearly a mile high.

would make a tower nearly a mile high. would make a tower nearly a mile high. If you earn $45,000 a year and saved If you earn $45,000 a year and saved If you earn $45,000 a year and saved every bit of it, every bit of it, every bit of it, it'd take 22 years to amass a fortune of it'd take 22 years to amass a fortune of it'd take 22 years to amass a fortune of 1 million dollars. 1 million dollars. 1 million dollars. Oh, Oh, Oh, and 1 million ants and 1 million ants and 1 million ants would weigh a little over 6 lb. would weigh a little over 6 lb. would weigh a little over 6 lb. A hundred million dollars is a little A hundred million dollars is a little A hundred million dollars is a little more respectable than a mere million. A more respectable than a mere million. A more respectable than a mere million. A hundred million bucks in hundred-dollar hundred million bucks in hundred-dollar hundred million bucks in hundred-dollar bills would fit neatly on a standard bills would fit neatly on a standard bills would fit neatly on a standard pallet. pallet. pallet. And with a hundred million dollars, you And with a hundred million dollars, you And with a hundred million dollars, you could buy 10 suites on a Holland America could buy 10 suites on a Holland America could buy 10 suites on a Holland America cruise ship, take your friends and cruise ship, take your friends and cruise ship, take your friends and family, and live full-time cruising family, and live full-time cruising family, and live full-time cruising around the world for 387 around the world for 387 around the world for 387 years. How about a billion dollars? How about a billion dollars? Now we're really getting somewhere. Now we're really getting somewhere. Now we're really getting somewhere. One billion is a one with nine zeros One billion is a one with nine zeros One billion is a one with nine zeros after it. after it. after it. A billion A billion A billion is a thousand millions.

is a thousand millions. is a thousand millions. A billion pennies stacked on top of each A billion pennies stacked on top of each A billion pennies stacked on top of each other would make a tower almost 870 other would make a tower almost 870 other would make a tower almost 870 miles high. miles high. miles high. If you earned $45,000 a year and saved If you earned $45,000 a year and saved If you earned $45,000 a year and saved it all, it all, it all, it would take you 22,000 years to put a it would take you 22,000 years to put a it would take you 22,000 years to put a billion dollars in the bank. billion dollars in the bank. billion dollars in the bank. And one billion ants would weigh over 3 And one billion ants would weigh over 3 And one billion ants would weigh over 3 tons. tons. tons. A little less than the weight of an A little less than the weight of an A little less than the weight of an elephant. With a billion dollars, With a billion dollars, you could buy 140 you could buy 140 you could buy 140 Cessna Citation jets Cessna Citation jets Cessna Citation jets and still have money left over to buy and still have money left over to buy and still have money left over to buy the airport. the airport. the airport. And finally, let's examine one trillion And finally, let's examine one trillion And finally, let's examine one trillion dollars. dollars. dollars. That's the number we've been hearing so That's the number we've been hearing so That's the number we've been hearing so much about. What is a trillion dollars? much about. What is a trillion dollars? much about. What is a trillion dollars? Well, Well, Well, it's a one followed by 12 zeros. It's a it's a one followed by 12 zeros. It's a it's a one followed by 12 zeros. It's a million million. million million. million million. It's a thousand billion. It's a thousand billion. It's a thousand billion. A trillion dollars is two-thirds of all A trillion dollars is two-thirds of all A trillion dollars is two-thirds of all the paper money in existence at one the paper money in existence at one the paper money in existence at one time.

time. time. And this is what it would look like. And this is what it would look like. And this is what it would look like. One trillion dollars would [music] fill One trillion dollars would [music] fill One trillion dollars would [music] fill 10,000 pallets of $100 bills. 10,000 pallets of $100 bills. 10,000 pallets of $100 bills. They could be stacked two pallets high They could be stacked two pallets high They could be stacked two pallets high and cover 2.2 acres of land. and cover 2.2 acres of land. and cover 2.2 acres of land. So, the next time you hear some So, the next time you hear some So, the next time you hear some government worker talking about America government worker talking about America government worker talking about America borrowing a trillion dollars to give borrowing a trillion dollars to give borrowing a trillion dollars to give away, away, away, that's what they're talking about. that's what they're talking about. that's what they're talking about. A trillion is a one with 12 zeros after A trillion is a one with 12 zeros after A trillion is a one with 12 zeros after it. it. it. One trillion is a thousand billions or a One trillion is a thousand billions or a One trillion is a thousand billions or a million millions. million millions. million millions. One trillion pennies stacked on top of One trillion pennies stacked on top of One trillion pennies stacked on top of each other would make a tower about each other would make a tower about each other would make a tower about 870,000 870,000 870,000 miles high, the same distance miles high, the same distance miles high, the same distance obtained by going to the moon, obtained by going to the moon, obtained by going to the moon, back to Earth, back to Earth, back to Earth, and then back to the moon again. and then back to the moon again. and then back to the moon again. And of course, as you already know, one And of course, as you already know, one And of course, as you already know, one trillion ants would weigh more than trillion ants would weigh more than trillion ants would weigh more than 3,000 tons. As a quick recap, let's 3,000 tons. As a quick recap, let's 3,000 tons. As a quick recap, let's check out the numbers [music] in check out the numbers [music] in check out the numbers [music] in seconds.

seconds. seconds. A million seconds A million seconds A million seconds is 12 days. is 12 days. is 12 days. A billion seconds A billion seconds A billion seconds is 31 years. is 31 years. is 31 years. A trillion seconds A trillion seconds A trillion seconds would stretch from 29,679 BC until now. BC until now. Roughly 24,000 years before the earliest Roughly 24,000 years before the earliest Roughly 24,000 years before the earliest civilizations began to take shape. civilizations began to take shape. civilizations began to take shape. In other words, a trillion seconds would In other words, a trillion seconds would In other words, a trillion seconds would last 31,688 years. years. Bet you didn't know that. Bet you didn't know that. Bet you didn't know that. >> [music]