Half a billion in digits

Answer 1

• In those countries that use the long scale (based on powers of a million), like Europe:

1/2 billion = 0.5 x (106)2

= 5 x 1011

= 500 000 000 000

• In those countries that use the short scale (based on powers of a thousand plus one), like USA:

1/2 billion = 0.5 x (103)2+1

= 5 x 108

= 500 000 000