Skewes' number

noun

Any of several extremely large numbers used as upper bounds for the smallest natural number x for which π(x)> operatorname li(x), where π is the prime-counting function and li is the logarithmic integral function. These bounds have since been improved by others.

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Meanings

nounSkewes' number (plural Skewes' numbers)

plural Skewes' numbers

  1. mathematicsAny of several extremely large numbers used as upper bounds for the smallest natural number x for which π(x)> operatorname li(x), where π is the prime-counting function and li is the logarithmic integral function. These bounds have since been improved by others.

    With this extension, the number system exceeds a number of previously-named giants, such as Archimedes' largest number, Kasner's googolplex, Skewes' number and Candelaria's googoltriplex.

    1976, Word Ways: The Journal of Recreational Linguistics, volumes 9-10, A. Ross Eckler, page 178

Origin

Named after South African mathematician Stanley Skewes.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish Skewesin luku
  • Skewesin lukuTranslations
Polish liczba Skewesa
  • liczba SkewesaTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

Skewes' number. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Skewes'%20number

MLA

“Skewes' number.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Skewes'%20number. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Skewes' number,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Skewes'%20number.

Source: Skewes' number on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.