size of the number (representing the amount of value) that can be physically encoded, which is exponential in the number of atoms
The natural numbers that can be physically encoded are not bounded by an exponent of the number of bits if you don’t have to be able to encode all smaller numbers as well in the same number of bits. If you define a number, you’ve encoded it, and it’s possible to define very large numbers indeed.
The natural numbers that can be physically encoded are not bounded by an exponent of the number of bits if you don’t have to be able to encode all smaller numbers as well in the same number of bits. If you define a number, you’ve encoded it, and it’s possible to define very large numbers indeed.
Great point, thanks!