The English suffix -illion is used to identify large numbers, derived from million. There are a number of systems, including:

Short scale

In the English language, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Russia, Turkey and Greece, the most common system for -illion is called the short scale. In this scale, the suffix is added to a Latin-derived numerical prefix meaning n to indicate 10^{(3n 3)}. For example, a quadrillion is 10^{(3×4 3)}, or 10^{(12 3)}, or 10¹⁵.

Long scale

In the remainder of the world, the long scale system is prevalent. In this, the -illion suffix is added to the Latin prefix meaning n to indicate 10⁽⁶ⁿ⁾. Numbers of the form 10^{(6n 3)} can still be read as the word "thousand" in the respective language followed by n-illion.

Rowlett

The Rowlett system is a proposed system for numbers that uses Greek-derived numerical prefixes for n = 4 upward, denoting 10⁽³ⁿ⁾. 10⁹ in this system is gillion. "Million" is common to both systems.

Indefinite words

The English language also includes a few -illion words that don't refer to any specified number; they are just exaggerations. These include zillion, jillion, bazillion, wazilliion, infinityillion and gazillion.

Jokes

The following joke makes use of the -illion concept for its punch line.

"Donald Rumsfeld is giving the president his daily briefing. He concludes by saying: "Yesterday, two Brazilian soldiers were killed."

"OH, NO!" the George Bush exclaims with great emotion. "That's terrible!"

His staff sits stunned at his display of emotion and nervously watch as the President sits, head in hands.

Finally, the President looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion?"

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