Jim: The UK Government uses billion as we do -- to mean 1000 million. I think many Brits still use milliard, though.
Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator] > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On > Behalf Of Jim McCracken > Sent: Monday, June 10, 2002 07:14 > To: U.S. Metric Association > Subject: [USMA:20373] Billion definition > > > THIS ELICITED NO RESPONSES, SO I'LL ASK AGAIN! > > This is not specifically metric, but I have received an inquiry > that I will > throw out for all the USMA Listserv subscribers. > > It is not widely known (and may no longer be factual) but in the UK, some > Commonwealth countries, and some other European countries a billion > represents (or did represent) a million million. In the United States, > Germany and numerous other European countries a billion is a > thousand million. > > Does anyone know if this definition difference still exists or has become > obsolete, and if there is still this discrepancy whether there are > directives or regulations that address, recognize, or limit the > difference. > > Thanks, > > Jim McCracken >
