0's in a Trillion

One trillion still sounds like one of those words we made up as kids to brag about how much stronger our dad was than everyone else or how much smarter we were than our classmates.  

Trillion. Zillion. Kajillion. Infinity. We didn't know exactly what those numbers were, but we did know that they were impressive in size and indisputable in proportion. We tossed them around with all the authority of an 8 year old and dared anyone to defy us.

Today, "trillion" with all the attending O's is not made up. It is a number used to calculate our hulking national debt--11 trillion dollars.  It is very real. And, I will admit, I have never really wrapped my head around just how many O's there are in that number.

The answer: In the U.S. and Scientific Community there are 12 O's in a trillion. 1,000,000,000,000.

In the rest of the world there are 18 O's in a trillion. 1,000,000,000,000,000,000.

I haven't made a career as a financial advisor or an investment banker. I don't claim to know much about anything, but does anyone else see a problem with this kind of math?