How many zeros in a half of a billion?

Answer 1

THE ANSWER: 8. The number thats half of a billion is 500,000,000. It has 8 0's and 500,000,000x2=1,000,000,000,000.
the "bi-" prefix implies 2;

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

1 billion = (106)2 = 1012 = 1 followed by 12 zeros = 10 followed by 11 zeros
1/2 of this would be 5 followed by 11 zeros
ie eleven.

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

1 billion = (103)2+1 = 109 = 1 followed by 9 zeros = 10 followed by 8 zeros
1/2 of this would be 5 followed by 8 zeros
ie eight.