Question I've read in several places that scientists have estimated the number of atoms in our galaxy to be (very) roughly 10 to the 65th power. This is an extraordinarily huge and basically incomprehensible number. However, this figure is more than 100 times smaller than the number of ways I could arrange the ordinary deck of playing cards I have in my hands. [52 factorial is approximately 8 x 10 to the 67th power]. Pardon the exaggeration, but how can I keep facts like this from melting my brain?

Accepted:

May 31, 2012