- #1
tribdog
- 769
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What is the:
smallest # whose definition requires at least 50 symbols?
smallest # whose definition requires at least 50 symbols?
DaveC426913 said:jcsd, did you mean:
Too bad this answer is invalid (even if it is the intended answer). What it has created is:
The smallest number with 50+ symbols definition is known as "Graham's number," and it is a concept in mathematics first described by mathematician Ronald Graham in 1971. It is a large number that is used in theoretical mathematics and has no practical value in everyday life.
The definition of Graham's number consists of more than 50 symbols, making it one of the longest mathematical expressions ever created. It is estimated to have around 64 symbols in its definition, but the exact number may vary depending on the method of representation.
Graham's number is significant because it is an upper bound for a problem in Ramsey theory, a branch of mathematics that deals with the properties of mathematical structures. It is also used in the field of combinatorics, which is the study of counting and arranging objects.
No, Graham's number is too large to be written out numerically using standard notation. If we were to write out all the digits of Graham's number, it would have more digits than there are atoms in the observable universe. Therefore, it is usually represented using special notation or as an exponential expression.
The concept of Graham's number has no practical applications, but it is important in theoretical mathematics as it helps us understand the limits of human comprehension and the vastness of the universe. It also serves as a reminder of the immense complexity and beauty of mathematics.