Is Infinity truly endless?

Summary

Who Smarted? - Episode Summary: "Is Infinity Truly Endless?"

Release Date: May 26, 2025

In this captivating episode of "Who Smarted?", hosted by Atomic Entertainment and Starglow Media, young listeners embark on an adventurous journey to unravel the mysteries of infinity and some of the largest numbers known to humanity. Combining humor, storytelling, and interactive elements, the episode engages curious minds while imparting valuable mathematical insights.

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Introduction to the Infinity Cube Experiment

The episode opens with the narrator eagerly anticipating the arrival of their monthly Mel Science kit, designed to deliver hands-on science experiments right to their doorstep. This month's project is particularly exciting—a building an infinity cube. As the narrator reminisces about past experiments, such as constructing a cable-stayed bridge and transforming a cell phone into a microscope, the stage is set for today's exploration into the vastness of numbers and infinity.

A Mysterious Visitor: Tenos Enters the Scene

At [01:33], an unexpected character named Tenos makes a dramatic entrance, claiming to be "10 o's, as in a one followed by 10 zeros," which is equivalent to 10 billion. The narrator curiously questions Tenos's identity, leading to a playful exchange that highlights Tenos's pride in representing colossal numbers:

Tenos [01:33]: "I've come for the infinity cube."

Tenos [01:54]: "You sure know how to make a guy feel small, Narrator."

This interaction serves as a springboard for a deeper discussion about large numbers and their significance.

Exploring Large Numbers: Real vs. Made-Up

The narrator challenges listeners to differentiate between real large numbers and fictional ones through an engaging game:

Narrator [04:17]: "Quadrillion real, octillion real. Bajillion fake. Nonillion real. A zillion."

Listeners are encouraged to participate by identifying which terms are legitimate in the realm of mathematics. This segment not only educates but also entertains, making complex numerical concepts accessible to young audiences.

Understanding the Spectrum of Large Numbers

Delving deeper into the hierarchy of numbers, the narrator explains the progression from million to centillion, emphasizing the exponential growth as more zeros are added. For instance:

Narrator [05:47]: "We're learning. Okay, starting with a million, which is the same as saying 1,000 thousand. You've got a one followed by six zeros. And 1,000 million equals 1 billion, which is a one followed by nine zeros."

Tenos expresses awe at the vastness of these numbers, highlighting the human fascination with quantifying the unimaginable.

The Concept of Infinity: Not Just a Number

A pivotal moment occurs when discussing infinity, where the narrator clarifies that infinity is not a number but an abstract concept representing something without an end:

Narrator [16:10]: "It's because infinity isn't a number. Infinity is an idea. An idea of something without an End. It cannot be measured. And it's not a number."

This distinction is crucial in understanding how infinity differs from finite large numbers, setting the foundation for further exploration.

Infinite Numbers Between Finite Points

Expanding on the idea of infinity, the episode illustrates that there are infinitely many numbers between one and two. The narrator provides examples of decimals that continue indefinitely:

Narrator [17:31]: "Do you know what symbol is used to represent infinity? It looks like a number you all know, only lying on its side. Is it a three, a six, or an eight? Did you say an eight? Great job. Infinity is represented by a figure eight because it has no beginning and no end. It just goes on and on and on and on."

This segment reinforces the boundless nature of numbers within any given interval, further demystifying the concept of infinity.

Tenos’s Quest and the Invitation to Learn

As the narrative unfolds, Tenos remains intent on acquiring the infinity cube to harness its limitless potential. However, the narrator introduces an alternative solution—encouraging listeners to subscribe to Mel Science to receive their own infinity cubes and partake in future scientific adventures.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tenos [02:13]: "Like I said, the universe is said to be around 14 billion years old, which means I nearly equal the age of the universe."

• Narrator [05:10]: "Quadrillion real, octillion real. Bajillion fake. Nonillion real."

• Tenos [07:30]: "I know what it's like to lose. To feel so desperately that you're right, but to fall nonetheless."

• Narrator [16:14]: "Do you know what symbol is used to represent infinity? It looks like a number you all know, only lying on its side…"

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Conclusion: Embracing the Infinite

The episode gracefully concludes with a blend of humor and educational reinforcement. Tenos's realization that infinity isn't a number opens avenues for young listeners to appreciate the grandeur of mathematical concepts. By intertwining interactive experiments with storytelling, "Who Smarted?" successfully fosters a love for learning, making abstract ideas tangible and enjoyable.

Listeners are left with a sense of wonder about the infinite possibilities in mathematics and are encouraged to continue their educational journey through future episodes and experiments offered by Mel Science.

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Production Credits:

• Written By: Adam Sexilien Davis
• Voiced By: Chris Wono Okawa and Jerry Colbert
• Technical Direction & Sound Design: Josh Hundred Million Hahn
• Associate Producers: Max and Trillian Kamasky
• Theme Song: Brian Septillion Suarez
• Created and Produced By: Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Cole
• Recorded and Mixed At: The Relic Room Studios
• Produced By: Atomic Entertainment

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This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't tuned in while maintaining the engaging and educational spirit of "Who Smarted?"

Transcript

[Narrator]

Alexa, stop. Alarm. Psst. Hey, smarty pants. I'm so excited. You know why? Because today is Mel Science day. The day Mel Science delivers a science kit right to my door. Oh, that must be it. Excuse me, Luna. Watch out, whiskers. Yeah, I got a pizza delivery for trusty narrator. Ah, yes, thanks. Ah, I forgot I pre ordered a pizza, which I'm also very excited about. Yes, it's my Mel science box. Hmm. I wonder what today's science experiment will be. Last month I built an awesome cable stayed bridge. And the month before, I turned my cell phone into a microscope. Okay, here we go. Oh. This month's experiment is building an infinity cube. Infinity cube. Infinity cube. What's an infinity cube? Sounds pretty awe inspiring. After all, infinity means. Hmm, smarty pants. Do you know what infinity means? Is it. Oh boy. What's happening? Whoa. The roof of my house just flew off. There's a giant spaceship hovering over me. Now a. A huge dude with a giant head is walking menacingly towards me.

[Tenos]

I've come for the infinity cube.

[Narrator]

Whoa. Are you thanos?

[Tenos]

No, I'm 10 o's, as in a one followed by 10 zeros. Oh, hey, I'm still one of the biggest numbers in the universe.

[Narrator]

I mean, sure, a one with 10 zeros is a fairly large number, smartypants. Do you know what A1 followed by 10 zeros is? Is it A1 million, B1 billion, or C10 billion? If you said 10 billion, you're right.

[Tenos]

Like I said, I'm one of the biggest, most powerful numbers in the universe. In fact, the univers is said to be around 14 billion years old, which means I nearly equal the age of the universe.

[Narrator]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on. While 10 billion is a lot, especially if you're talking about money, it's not nearly the biggest number in the universe. In fact, even if we were talking about money, the richest person in the world has $240 billion. And if we're just talking numbers, there's way bigger numbers than billion.

[Tenos]

You sure know how to make a guy feel small. Narrator.

[Narrator]

No, no, no, you shouldn't feel small. I'm just saying there's much larger numbers out there. And if you stick around, you can help me build my Mel Science Infinity cube while we answer cool questions like what is infinity? Is infinity the biggest number? And is there anything bigger than infinity?

[Tenos]

I can answer those in a.

[Narrator]

No, no. Snapping Time for another whiff of science and history on who's smarted? Who's smarted?

[Tenos]

Who's smart?

[Narrator]

Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up everyone. We make smarting lots of fun, but who's smarted?

[Elio]

It is estimated that over 4 million people have been abducted by alien life forms. But only one of them asked for it.

[Narrator]

This is Elio of Earth. If any aliens are listening, come and.

[Elio]

Get me From Disney and Pixar.

[Narrator]

Yes, it's really happening.

[Elio]

He'll go where no one has gone before.

[Narrator]

Welcome to the Communiverse. This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. This is the bathroom.

[Elio]

Disney and Pixar's Elio. Rated PG. Parental guidance suggested only in theaters June 20th.

[Narrator]

Okay, smarty pants. Call out the biggest number you can think of. Did anyone say a gazillion billion quatrillion? That was my favorite giant number growing up. There's just one problem. That number doesn't exist. Yikes. Teddos, did you just snap your fingers?

[Tenos]

No, I started putting together the infinity cube.

[Narrator]

Phew. Anyway, like I was saying, some big sounding numbers are completely made up. Don't believe me? Let's play a game. I'll say a word and you call out if you think it's a real or fake. Big number. Ready? Go. Quadrillion real, octillion real. Bajillion fake. Nonillion real. A zillion.

[Tenos]

Fake.

[Narrator]

Vigintillion real, Magillion fake. Katrillion fake. How'd you do, smarty pants? Don't worry if you got any wrong. It can be tricky.

[Tenos]

What if you got em all wrong? I'm just saying it's okay.

[Narrator]

Tenos. We're learning. Okay, starting with a million, which is the same as saying 1,000 thousand. You've got a one followed by six zeros. And 1,000 million equals 1 billion, which is a one followed by nine zeros.

[Tenos]

I'm 10 0s or 10 billion.

[Narrator]

We know there's always a 10 and 100 of each new number. For example, 10 billion and 100 billion. Smarty pants. What comes after a billion? Did you say a trillion? Yep. Then a quadrillion, then a quintillion, followed by sextillian, septillion, octillion, nonillion and decillion.

[Tenos]

What about a Brazilian?

[Narrator]

Nope, that's someone who lives in the country of Brazil. So smarty pants, you have all these big numbers with increasingly larger amounts of zeros after them. For example, in the US a vegentillon is a one followed by 63 zeros.

[Tenos]

Wow, that could take a while to write out.

[Narrator]

Exactly. Which is why we don't write them out. Instead, we represent big numbers by saying 10 to the power of and then however many zeros it is. For example, a centillion is a one followed by 303 zeros. So we'd say 10 to the 303rd power and we'd write it out by putting the number 10 and then next to it, a small number 303 raised up a little bit.

[Tenos]

Hmm. It looks like the number 10 is thinking about the number 303.

[Narrator]

Exactly. So, smarty pants, what do you think is the biggest number of all? Is it A, a centillion, B, a googol, or C, something else? If you said a Google, you are wrong. Sorry.

[Tenos]

I know what it's like to lose. To feel so desperately that you're right, but to fall nonetheless.

[Narrator]

Um, yeah, any who a Google, which is represented by a one followed by 100 zeros, is certainly a big number. Google, the search engine you might use to look things up on the Internet, is actually a intentionally misspelled version of the huge number googol. By the way, Google, the number is spelled G O O G O L, while Internet Google is spelled G O.

[Tenos]

O G L E. I didn't come for a spelling lesson. I came for the infinity cube.

[Narrator]

Hang on, budget Thanos. Google. The number was defined in 1929 by American mathematician Edward Kasner and named by Kasner's nine year old nephew, Milton.

[Tenos]

Hello. Really? How do you know that?

[Narrator]

I Googled it. But as big and cool as Google sounds, it's not the biggest. Remember, a centillion is a one followed by 303 zeros.

[Tenos]

So a centillion is the biggest number.

[Narrator]

What do you think, smarty pants? If you said nope, you're right. The biggest known number is called a googolplex.

[Tenos]

Googleplex. That sounds fittingly huge.

[Narrator]

Yep. A googolplex is a one followed by writing zeros until you get tired. Kidding. That's an old math joke. The truth is, you can't write out a Googleplex.

[Tenos]

Of course I can. I'm tenos. I am inevitable and also capable of writing out big numbers.

[Narrator]

Nope. Despite knowing that a googolplex is a one followed by a Google zeros, no person or computer in the universe could ever write it out in full. That's because there isn't enough room in the entire universe to write down all the digits in a Googleplex.

[Tenos]

Whoa. A number that's bigger than the universe. I must possess it.

[Narrator]

Good luck with that. But here's the crazy thing. We also know that an infinite amount of even larger numbers exist.

[Tenos]

What?

[Narrator]

For example, mathematician Ronald Graham came up with a number in 1971 known as Graham's number that's even bigger than the googolplex. While it too, is also literally too big to write, we know this number is divisible by three and ends in a seven.

[Tenos]

Let me guess. You Googled that, too.

[Narrator]

I sure did.

[Tenos]

Okay, enough with other large numbers. The biggest number in existence is the one I came for. Infinity. Quit stalling and build the Infinity Cube so I can use it to restore balance to the universe.

[Narrator]

No.

[Tenos]

No. You dare defy Tennos?

[Narrator]

I meant no. Infinity is not the biggest number in existence.

[Tenos]

What? There's something bigger than infinity?

[Narrator]

I'll tell you the answer right after this quick break.

[Tenos]

Make it snappy.

[Narrator]

No. No snapping. Psst. Hey, smartypants. If you're enjoying this episode and want to get your hands on your very own Infinity cube and other great math and science experiments, sign up for melscience. That's right, Mel. Science delivers amazing experiments right to your door. But shh. Don't tell Thanos. Best of all, you can sign up for a full year, six months, or just one month. But no matter what plan you pick, get ready for lots of learning and fun about science, just like we do with whosmarted. Go to melscience.com that's melscience.com and use code infinity for 50% off your first month. Get science sent right to your door today. Just watch out for Tennos. Hey, smarty pants. Have I got exciting news for you here. I'll give you a hint. Yep, that's right. New episodes of Mysteries about True Histories are coming soon. So head on over and see what wild time traveling adventures our young problem solvers are up to this season. And if you've never heard of Mysteries About True Histories, AKA math, just trust me. You're going to love hearing how Max and Molly use math, history, geography, logic puzzles, and fun to solve mysteries about true histories. From the creators of who Smarted comes Mysteries About True Histories, starting May 15, with new episodes every Thursday. Subscribe and download anywhere you listen to who Smith Smarted. This podcast is brought to you by Squarespace. If you've got an idea, a brand, or a business, Squarespace can help you bring it to life online so easily and so quickly. I started with their blueprint AI tool, and it's honestly kind of magical. You answer a few simple questions about your project, and it instantly builds a beautiful custom website with design, layout, and it even had text suggestions that went perfectly with the idea that I was creating. It's like having a designer and copywriter on your team, but it's all done by the app. Then I discovered how easy it is to offer services and get paid. You can add bookings, send invoices, accept payments, and even schedule automated emails. All right, from your site. No plugins, no chaos, no extra apps. And figuring all that out, just a smooth, professional setup that actually works right out of the box. It saved me a ton of money and time. So if you're ready to build something real, head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial. And when you're ready to launch, use offer code smarted to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. That's squarespace.com smarted hey, smarty pants. Trusty here with a special mission for all the smartypants listening. But unlike a top secret mission, this mission requires you to tell everyone. That's right. Your job is to spread the word about who smarted so we can keep growing and bringing you awesome new episodes. To qualify for this mission, let's play a little game. Who do you know that would love who smarted but doesn't listen to the show? Is it A, a friend, B, a teacher, C, a relative, like your favorite cousin? Or D, a neighbor who loves fun facts? Got someone in mind? Great. Question 2. Where and when will you tell this person about who's smarted? Is it A, on a playdate, B, at school, C, in the car, or D, on the phone? Pick one, make a plan, stick to it, and best of all, complete this not so top secret mission. I'm counting on you, smartypants. The more people you tell, the bigger we grow. Which means a lot more smarting for you. Now back to who's smarted? According to my new friend Tennos, the largest number in existence is infinity.

[Tenos]

Infinity is the largest number. And once I possess the infinity cube, I will, in effect, possess infinity.

[Narrator]

Well, I'm gonna have to stop you right there.

[Tenos]

You think you can stop Tennos?

[Narrator]

Oh, not just me.

[Tenos]

The Avengers. Are they going to assemble to outmath me? I mean, Tony Stark's pretty good at math. So is Bruce Banner. But they can't outnumber me once I have the Infinity cube.

[Narrator]

But that's just it. Infinity is not largest number.

[Tenos]

Are you saying there's something larger than infinity?

[Narrator]

No.

[Tenos]

Good.

[Narrator]

There's nothing larger than infinity. However, infinity is not the largest number.

[Tenos]

That makes no sense, smarty pants.

[Narrator]

Do you know why? It's because infinity isn't a number.

[Tenos]

Then what is infinity?

[Narrator]

Infinity is an idea. An idea of something without an End. It cannot be measured. And it's not a number.

[Tenos]

Reality is often disappointing.

[Narrator]

Smarty pants, do you know what symbol is used to represent infinity? It looks like a number you all know, only lying on its side. Is it a three, a six, or an eight? Did you say an eight? Great job. Infinity is represented by a figure eight because it has no beginning and no end. It just goes on and on and on and on.

[Tenos]

So it's growing.

[Narrator]

Nope. Infinity is already fully formed. Infinity doesn't do anything. It just is. Smarty pants, true or false? Infinity only relates to large numbers. The answer is false. Not only are there an infinite amount of larger and larger numbers, but there are also an infinite amount of tiny numbers larger that are close to zero, but not zero. The word infinite is related to the word infinitesimal, which means immeasurably small.

[Tenos]

I see. So there is a balance between big and small numbers.

[Narrator]

Yes, but that's not all, smarty pants. How many numbers are there between one and two? Did you say none? Some of you might be thinking of fractions or decimals, like one and a half or 1.5. That's great. But guess what the answer is. There is an infinite amount of numbers between 1 and 2.

[Tenos]

Whoa.

[Narrator]

For example, there's 1.1, 1.11, 1.111, 1.1111. And on and on and on until the universe is entirely filled with ones.

[Tenos]

I want them. I want all them. Those ones.

[Narrator]

Sorry, you can't have them all because there's no end to them.

[Tenos]

So now what?

[Narrator]

Narrators, assemble this Infinity cube from Mel Science.

[Tenos]

This cube is filled with little lights that seem to go on forever. No matter which way I turn the cube, it looks endless, limitless, infinite. It's also a cool little lamp.

[Narrator]

Tell you what, I'll give you a choice.

[Tenos]

The hardest choices require the strongest wills, right?

[Narrator]

You can either have the Infinity cube, or I'll sign you up for Mel Science so you can get your own Infinity cube and lots more awesome science delivered right to your door. Or spaceship or wherever.

[Tenos]

Really? Just like that?

[Narrator]

Yep, it's a snap. Hey, half my pizza's gone.

[Tenos]

I ate it when you weren't looking.

[Narrator]

Oh, snap. Hey, smartypants. Once again, to get tons of cool math and science experiments like the Infinity Cube delivered right to your home, check out melscience.com that's melscience.com and get 50% off your first month by using Code Infinity. An overseas shout out to smarty fan Ethan in Ireland. Thanks so much for smarting with us. We're so glad you think who Smarted is the best podcast to listen to before bed, and we're glad to know it's making you smarter. Keep on smarting, smarty pants. This episode Infinity was written by Adam Sexilien Davis and voiced by Chris Wono Okawa and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hundred Million Hahn. Who's Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room Studios. Our associate producer is Max and Trillian Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Septillion Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis, who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Cole. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.