I was listening to NPR (National Public Radio) and I heard an amazing and memorable explanation of “how large is a trillion.”
I thought it important to post the information here because we hear “a trillion” this and “a trillion” that thrown around today like it’s nothing. We get so used to hearing it that the meaning becomes insignificant. I’m sure our parents rarely heard it. I bet our grandparents never heard it – certainly not in relation to the economy.
And you may notice that, too often, “trillion” is used when discussing US expenditures or debt. Bummer.
So, ok, how large is a trillion?
If you stack up enough $100 bills to make $100,000 – the stack would be 4 inches tall.
If you stack up enough $100 bills to make One Million Dollars – $1,000,000 – the stack would be 40″ tall (just over 3 feet).
If you stack up enough $100 bills to make One Trillion Dollars – $1,000,000,000,000 – the stack would be 679 miles high.
In case you thought one trillion was just a bit more than one million, you were wrong. Today, our national debt is quickly approaching $13 trillion.
The Outstanding Public Debt as of 31 Mar 2010 at 08:57:12 PM GMT was: $12,688,419,783,356.51.
Now, next time you hear the word “trillion”, think about what that means.
Mind-boggling and disgusting. Thanks for the perspective. I guess that’s why this is “Karen’s Perspective!”
Mar 31st, 2010 / 11:59 pm
OK, to help the perspective most people do not look at HOW FAST you can spend money and it be gone before you know it.
For instance if you spend an average of $1000/ day it would take a little under 3 years to go through 1 million dollars. $1,000,000.00. You say that is silly, how can someone do that?? Consider that you can spend anywhere from $80,000.00 to $250,000.00 for a house alone without thinking about it or $25,000.00, $30,000.00 or more for a car then you can see how it is very possible. (KEEP IN MIND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE UP KEEP ON THOSE ITEMS)
To spend a Billion Dollars (which is 1000 Millions) well you do the math. (3 yrs X 1000) right at 3000 yrs.
Unless I am wrong 1 Trillion is 1000 Billion WELL you get the picture.
HOW can our government waste that much money??? It is easy when you hire assistants for this and for that each making from 5 to 6 digits incomes.
THINK ABOUT THAT ONE!!!!!!!
Martin
Apr 1st, 2010 / 2:50 pm
Thank you, Martin, for your insight!
Apr 1st, 2010 / 2:52 pm
That is an AMAZING illustration of a trillion. Thanks for sharing it. I will definitely pass that one along.
Apr 9th, 2010 / 10:30 am
Thanks, Marshall. And, thanks for promoting my post!
Apr 9th, 2010 / 11:35 am