Big Numbers in the News

Understanding large numbers in news context A1

When we read the news, we see many big numbers. Let us learn some of them.

One million = 1,000,000. One billion = 1,000,000,000.

Percent (%) means out of one hundred. 50% = fifty percent = one half.

3. 3% = three point three percent.

The EU is sending €80 million to Lebanon. That is 80,000,000 euros.

Gas prices are up 70%. That means they are much higher than before.

Europe has 28% gas storage. That means storage is less than one third full.

Oil costs $100 per barrel. That is one hundred dollars.

Spain's inflation is 3. 3%.

So things cost 3. 3% more than last year.

Numbers help us understand how big a problem is. A 3% change is small.

A 70% change is very big.