The metaphysical inquiry into the “biggest number” has a lengthy and convoluted history. A “number” in mathematical terms is a member of a well-ordered set which is defined by specific properties. These properties can be applied to real-world examples; when you count five apples, you are referring to the number “five” as a representation of the quantity of apples in your possession.
The concept of the “biggest number” is important because it allows us to grasp the concept of infinity and the limits of human cognition. Georg Cantor, a German mathematician, developed the concept of transfinite numbers in the late 19th century which revolutionized our understanding of the vastness of the number system.
