DiscoverUnexpected ElementsSupermassive numbers
Supermassive numbers

Supermassive numbers

Update: 2024-11-08
Share

Description

Russia has fined Google more than two undecillion rubles, which is more than 20 decillion dollars. How much you ask? 20 decillions is a 20 with 33 zeros behind it, more money than there is in the entire world!

This unpayable fine inspired us to look at extremely large numbers, from the amount of cells in our body, to infinity hotels and beyond. Plus, two-time world memory champion Jonas von Essen teaches us how to memorise these supermassive numbers.

Also, we unpick a dubious influential biodiversity statistic that has no basis whatsoever, and we look at the scientific tools of ghost hunting.

Plus, to round it off, presenter Marnie looks at a sport with more possible moves than there are atoms in the Universe. Can you guess what it is?

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton with Tristan Ahtone and Candice Bailey.
Producer: Florian Bohr with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell and Imaan Moin.
Sound engineer: Rhys Morris

Comments 
In Channel
The science of Santa

The science of Santa

2024-12-2052:13

Totally bananas

Totally bananas

2024-12-1350:49

Going home

Going home

2024-12-0650:48

Doing a deal

Doing a deal

2024-11-2950:51

Super Science

Super Science

2024-11-2250:13

Supermassive numbers

Supermassive numbers

2024-11-0851:08

The Swing of Things

The Swing of Things

2024-11-0150:26

Mystery blobs

Mystery blobs

2024-10-2551:52

TV made me do it

TV made me do it

2024-10-1851:13

All things Oregon!

All things Oregon!

2024-09-2751:32

Thrillseekers

Thrillseekers

2024-09-0651:29

A sticky situation

A sticky situation

2024-08-2351:20

The only one

The only one

2024-08-1650:35

Let them eat crab

Let them eat crab

2024-08-0949:30

loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Supermassive numbers

Supermassive numbers

BBC World Service