The Fast-Growing Hierarchy (FGH) is a system of functions used in googology to name and categorize unimaginably large numbers. It outpaces standard notation like exponents or even Knuth's up-arrows by using transfinite ordinals. Core Functionality The hierarchy, denoted as , builds speed based on the index (the "ordinal") and the input : . This is simple successor logic. Successor Stage : . The function iterates itself Limit Stage : For limit ordinals (like ), we use a fundamental sequence: Notable Benchmarks As the index increases, the growth rate explodes. : Equal to . Linear growth. : Equal to . Exponential growth. : Comparable to Graham’s Number . It uses power towers.
The calculator allows users to:
function eval(ordinal α, int n, limits): if α == 0: return n+1 if α is successor β+1: return iterate(eval(β, ·), n, n, limits) if α is limit: λn = fundamental_sequence(α, n) return eval(λn, n, limits) fast growing hierarchy calculator
The is a mathematical framework used by googologists and theoretical computer scientists to define and compare functions that grow at staggering rates. It provides a standardized way to describe "ridiculously huge numbers" using ordinals to index the level of growth complexity. 🛠️ Core Definition The hierarchy consists of an indexed family of functions The Fast-Growing Hierarchy (FGH) is a system of
“The infinite is nowhere to be found in reality, no matter what experiences, observations, and knowledge are appealed to. But we can still talk about it sensibly—especially when we have a calculator.” — Paraphrasing Hilbert, with apologies. This is simple successor logic
Show small numeric checks (calculator can output exact for these small α,n).