was spam - now how to count big numbers

**fiddleabout** · 24 December 2003, 07:27

countdown......

10

**zeitghost** · 30 December 2003, 13:24

Re: countdown......

8.

**Mordac** · 30 December 2003, 13:25

Re: countdown......

7 ? 8o

**Cojak** · 30 December 2003, 14:09

Re: countdown......

9.

**roger rabbit** · 30 December 2003, 14:46

Re: countdown......

Ryan, there is an old arabic? proverb about a wise man who did a favour for a nasty old King. King said thanks I'll give you a chest of gold as a reward. Wise man said no all I want is a grain of rice on the first square of a chess board, 2 on the second, 4 on the third etc.

Nasty old king laughed at his good fortune at only having to give up a few grains of rice and said fine. You know the story I guess.

**Mordac** · 31 December 2003, 11:36

Re: countdown......

I think it's a Chinese proverb. There wouldn't have been enough rice in the whole of China to cover the amount needed for the last square. How it would all have fitted on the square is another question...

Right, time for a

**mikethebike** · 31 December 2003, 13:43

Re: countdown......

Please take me off your mailing list. Here's a dollar! I thank you.

**threaded** · 4 January 2004, 16:29

Re: countdown......

roger rabbit & Mordac: Both wrong, it is Indian in origin.

Now pencil and paper time: what is the number of grains for the last square?

Oh, and if you manage to use a calculator to work it out, pray do tell which model. :rollin

**zeitghost** · 4 January 2004, 16:49

Re: countdown......

1.84 e19?

was spam - now how to count big numbers