Centibillionaire (misuse of metric prefixes?)

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SUMMARY

The term "centibillionaire" inaccurately describes individuals worth over $100 billion, as it implies a value of $10 million based on metric prefix logic. Instead, the correct terminology should be "hecto-billionaire" for $100 billion or "deci-trillionaire" for the same amount, reflecting proper metric usage. This discussion highlights the inconsistencies in the application of metric prefixes in financial contexts, particularly in the English-speaking world. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of metric terminology in everyday language.

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  • Understanding of metric prefixes (e.g., centi-, hecto-, deci-)
  • Basic knowledge of financial terminology (e.g., billionaire, trillionaire)
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  • Awareness of the differences between metric and imperial systems
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robphy
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Apparently "centibillionaire" is a term to describe someone worth over $100 billiion (100\cdot 10^9 \rm\ dollars =10^{11}\rm\ dollars=$100,000,000,000).
(from 2019) https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephe...e-can-teach-you-about-investing/#30d7cdd98cff
(from today [Aug 7] in 2020) https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/07/tech/mark-zuckerberg-net-worth-intl-hnk/index.html?utm_term=link&utm_content=2020-08-07T10:29:03&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twCNNi
with Mark Zuckerberg joining Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.

Since a centimeter = 10^{-2}\rm\ meters = (0.01 meters),
centibillionaire would, by analogy, mean (0.01 billionaire), someone worth 10^{-2} \cdot 10^{9}\rm\ dollars = 10^{7}\rm\ dollars=$10,000,000.

Instead they should use one of these terms:
hecto-billionaire = 10^{+2} \cdot 10^{9}\rm\ dollars = 10^{11}\rm\ dollars
or
deci-trillionaire = 10^{-1} \cdot 10^{12}\rm\ dollars = 10^{11}\rm\ dollars

Admittedly, apart from metric prefixes, there may be other terms that one may wish to use.
 
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Well, that's the "inconsistant" metric system for you.
Made in Europe no doubt.:))
They just tacked on a "th" on the end of hundred to make it mean hundredth.

By metric, a centipede should have only one hundredth of a leg.
And a millipede.
Now you have got me wondering if a century really is 100 years.

Bring back the english system!