Ever noticed?
We say M for Million, but K for Thousand. Not T.
Discover why in this thread:
We say M for Million, but K for Thousand. Not T.
Discover why in this thread:
Let's start with M for Million.
It's not arbitrary. It comes from the Latin word "mille" meaning thousand.
It's not arbitrary. It comes from the Latin word "mille" meaning thousand.
The M in 'million' represents a thousand multiplied by itself twice.
It's the power of language and numbers combined.
It's the power of language and numbers combined.
Now, why K for Thousand?
The K stands for "kilo" in the metric system, from the Greek "khilioi."
The K stands for "kilo" in the metric system, from the Greek "khilioi."
Kilo as a prefix in the metric system represents a factor of a thousand.
Thus, K became a symbol of a thousand universally.
Thus, K became a symbol of a thousand universally.
So, where is the elusive T?
The truth is - T is not totally absent.
The truth is - T is not totally absent.
In fact, you've probably seen T used for Trillion.
It's part of an exponential pattern: K (Thousand), M (Million), B (Billion), T (Trillion)...
It's part of an exponential pattern: K (Thousand), M (Million), B (Billion), T (Trillion)...
So why not T for Thousand?
Well, K was already popular in the metric system. Changing it would cause confusion.
Well, K was already popular in the metric system. Changing it would cause confusion.
Plus, imagine the confusion if T stood for Thousand.
Would T then stand for Thousand or Trillion? It would be chaos!
Would T then stand for Thousand or Trillion? It would be chaos!
That, my friends, is a glimpse into the fascinating world of symbols.
A world where M meets K, and occasionally T.
A world where M meets K, and occasionally T.
Symbols, like words, carry history, decisions, and compromises.
And sometimes, those compromises can lead to fascinating quirks, like our M, K, and T.
And sometimes, those compromises can lead to fascinating quirks, like our M, K, and T.
So, next time you see these symbols, remember their stories.
Remember the Latin "mille," the Greek "khilioi," and the practicality of avoiding confusion.
Remember the Latin "mille," the Greek "khilioi," and the practicality of avoiding confusion.
Keep questioning the world around you.
The origins and stories behind even the simplest things can be more interesting than you think.
The origins and stories behind even the simplest things can be more interesting than you think.
Thank you for joining me on this exploration of language and numbers.
Stay curious. Stay questioning. Keep discovering.
That's a wrap!
Stay curious. Stay questioning. Keep discovering.
That's a wrap!
One last thing.
Thanks for reading. 🙌
And, if you found it helpful, I hope you'll:
1. Follow me @MehulFanawala
2. Like / RT / Bookmark / Comment the first tweet to support my content
Thanks for reading. 🙌
And, if you found it helpful, I hope you'll:
1. Follow me @MehulFanawala
2. Like / RT / Bookmark / Comment the first tweet to support my content
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