Numbers in the News

JURGEN OTTO

Peacock spider (See "5" below)

3.95 billion

Age of ancient rocks inside of which scientists discovered carbon atoms believed to be left over from the first organisms on Earth.

3 million

Number of U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico left without power after Hurricane Maria hit the island in September.

4,100

Length in miles of a new high-speed fiber-optic cable that Microsoft and Facebook recently laid across the Atlantic Ocean floor.

74

Percent of New York City subway commuters who were late to work at least once this past summer because of problems with the aging infrastructure.

5

Number of new species of peacock spiders, known for their vibrant colors, discovered by scientists in Australia last September.

Text-to-Speech