The idea of large amounts, big numbers, has a fascinating history.  In elementary school we learn that there were cultures that had no names for numbers over three (3.)  They counted; one (1), two (2), three (3), ‘many.’ Somewhere lost in history, we realized that we could count and name numbers well beyond the common ‘many.’  Our number systems developed into the system we use, today.  Philosophers and mathematicians began thinking of numbers that might be too big to count; they ‘cooked’ up Infinity.  Numbers, it seems, go on without limit.
          However, those of us who use numbers to help us get through our days still rely upon common quantities; ones and zeros, twos and threes, dozens and hundreds.  If we are lucky, we may encounter a thousand of something but rarely do we find a million of anything.  Technology has changed this last statement.  Within our universe we are told that there are billions (millions of millions) of stars and within our modern computers there are billions of billions of tiny switches used for processors and memory.  We see words, such as, Megabyte (Megs), Gigabyte (Gigs) and are told that they represent many, many bits of information stored as ones and zeros within the computer.
          We know they are not very big because they are crammed into tiny chips but do we really have any idea of how many they really are?
          This book was developed to graphically show the size and count of one million zeros.  It converts imaginary ideas into something concrete.  It allows the reader to physically grasp the idea of a big number.  It never fails to leave a lasting impression.
          By the way, the name of the number that begins with a ‘1’ followed by one million zeros is ‘Ten trecentretriginmilliatrecenduotrigintillion.’
          Every Teacher and every parent should have a copy of ONE MILLION ZEROS for that moment to explain big numbers.