What is the maximum number of zeros in a number?

Answer 1

Mathematically, there is no limit to the number of digits in a number, zeroes or otherwise. Certain situations may dictate a maximum number of digits. A calculator may only be able to handle ten digits, for instance, and dollar amounts are typically expressed only to two decimal places, to the hundredth, which is the penny. Zeroes can be added to a number such that the number is multiplied by ten an infinite number of times. Zeroes can be added to one beginning with 1, 10, 100, 1000, 10,000, 100,000, 1,000,000 and so on through many millions and beyond. A one followed by one hundred zeroes is a googol, and a one followed by a googol of zeroes is a googolplex. These named numbers have little mathematical value and do not denote any type of limit. Zeroes can also be added to the right of the decimal point to make smaller and smaller values. Zeroes can be inserted before a one beginning with 0.1, 0.01, 0.001, 0.0001, and so on. Zeroes can fall anywhere within a number, and 1,000,000,000,000, 707, 809.02403, 60, and 70,030,005 are all valid numbers. Leading zeroes are not needed mathematically. For example, there is typically no reason to express seven thousand and thirty-two as 0,007,032. Sometimes, however, it can be useful to do so, so that, among other reasons, a list of numbers -- such as 8643, 0072, 2501, and 0009 -- align well in a column. Also, when there is a value to the right of the decimal while not to the left, a zero is often given in the ones place to make things more clear, such as 0.125 rather than simply .125. Trailing zeroes to the right of the decimal place are similarly not needed mathematically, but in situations for which values there are expected, it can make things more clear to specify them. For instance, medicine dispensed in tenths of a unit is recorded to one decimal place, even if the value of the tenth place is zero, so dosages might be listed as 2.3, 1.0, 0.8, and 3.0. And unless only whole dollars are being used, dollar values might be listed -- in a checkbook register, for instance, or on a grocery receipt -- as $21.00, $872.43, $1000.00, and $119.99. Zero has an interesting history. Essentially a placeholder, there was a lot of discussion over whether it was a number or not. As a digit, use as many as seem appropriate or as you would like! --T.B.