.
.
Math Central - mathcentral.uregina.ca
Quandaries & Queries
Q & Q
. .
topic card  

Topic:

genealogy

list of
topics
. .
start over

One item is filed under this topic.
 
Page
1/1
Genealogy 2001-03-22
From Brian:
In considering tracing genealogy the problem of a large and growing number of direct (grandparent) ancestors arose. Since the number of grandparents in any given generation doubles, for a person born in 2000 and assuming 25 year generations, in the year 1000 that person would have over one trillion direct ancestors in that year alone. Since estimates I have read place the total world population in 1000 at 250-300 million, the one trillion figure cannot be correct. I must be missing something in my calculations. Can you help provide the answer? While I am unlikely to be able to trace back to 1000, there is reason to believe 1250 is possible. Even in that year there would exist over one billion direct ancestors. That is certainly rather daunting and unlikely to be achieved if correct.
Answered by Penny Nom.
 
Page
1/1

 

 


Math Central is supported by the University of Regina and The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.

CMS
.

 

Home Resource Room Home Resource Room Quandaries and Queries Mathematics with a Human Face About Math Central Problem of the Month Math Beyond School Outreach Activities Teacher's Bulletin Board Canadian Mathematical Society University of Regina PIMS