2006-07-20 21:21:04 · 36 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
There is no upper bound to the set of real numbers. We express the upper limit as "infinity".
2006-07-20 21:40:40 · answer #1 · answered by stellarfirefly 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As infinity is not a number in mathematics there is no biggest number, because if you say you know the biggest number I just add one and have a bigger number.
This is in mathematics.
But you asked about the biggest number in universe. As the smallest length the Planck length is about 10^-35m and the universe has an estimated diameter of some 10^26m a cube with the sidelength of the Planck length which would be the smallest portion of space possible would fit 10^213 times into the universe.
So you can't have more than 10^213 things (give or take 5 orders of magnitude or so as this is really some rough calculating) in the universe, which would be a reason to call that the biggest number in the universe. No reason to count further if you can't have more things to count.
2006-07-20 22:04:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
4
2006-07-20 21:56:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
10
2006-07-21 01:17:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Infinity is NOT a number - it is a concept. It can also not be added to or multiplied meaningfully.
Phi is a rather small number in the grand scheme of things at a mere 1·61803398874989484820458683436563811772030917980576... and represents the Golden Ratio favoured by artists, nature and religious conspiracy theorists.
The set of real numbers is unbounded and there is not therefore a highest number.
Nevertheless, the highest named number is a "googolplex" which is slightly larger than "phi" - consider:
A googol is 10^100 or 1 followed by 100 zeroes. There is at best estimate about 10^78 atoms in the universe. So a googol is therefore the number of atoms in a million million million million universes. Quite a lot, you'll agree.
Well ... imagine if you will the number 1 followed by a googol of zeroes. Voilà - a googolplex!!!
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Since posting above I have found a great url that describes far better than I did the above http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=352789 if you are interested.
2006-07-20 23:23:01 · answer #5 · answered by Friseal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There aren't any numbers in the universe, numbers are abstract entities, the universe is "reality"(whatever that means). Numbers exist in our heads. There is no biggest number as can easily be proved.
Mathematically, there are all sorts of large numbers, and even infinity can vary in size. Infinity is not a number, but a concept. It is a concept that must be handled with care as it can readily lead to paradox, or even philosophy or religion.
If you really want to suffer, look up ZFC and Large Cardinals. This goes close to the boundaries of Mathematics and Metaphysics.
2006-07-21 07:24:55 · answer #6 · answered by hi_patia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Infinity. And its not limited to the universe. Even beyond the universe infinity is the biggest number possible.
2006-07-20 22:05:13 · answer #7 · answered by blind_chameleon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As per as I know the biggest number might be Avogadro number. This is 6.023* 12^23. I think this number has some practical applications compared to other ones which don't seem to be used that often.
2006-07-21 06:11:20 · answer #8 · answered by Vivek 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Infinity
2006-07-20 21:25:26 · answer #9 · answered by Nutty Girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A googolplex.
This is the highest number with a name (nobody say 2 googolplex) according to wikipedia.
A googol is 10 to the power 100 - i.e. 1 with 100 zeros.
A googolplex is 10 to the power a googol - i.e. 1 with googol zeros.
2006-07-21 04:25:25 · answer #10 · answered by Bomb Jack 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋