How to Get Infinity on a Calculator Using 33
Calculators display infinity — or more precisely, an error state representing an unbounded result — in a few well-known ways. One of the most popular involves the number 33, and it works across basic handheld calculators, smartphone calculator apps, and even some scientific models. Here's exactly what's happening, why it works, and what affects whether you'll see it on your own device.
What Does "Infinity" Actually Look Like on a Calculator?
Most calculators don't have a true infinity symbol (∞) built into their display. Instead, when a calculation produces a result too large to represent — or mathematically undefined — the calculator throws up one of these:
E(Error)ErrOverflow1e+∞or∞on more advanced displays- A row of
8s filling the display on older LCD models
What people loosely call "getting infinity" on a calculator usually means triggering one of these overflow or undefined-result states intentionally.
The 33 Method: What It Is and How It Works
The classic trick involves entering a sequence built around repeated multiplication or factorial operations using 33 as a starting point. The most common version goes like this:
On a basic calculator:
- Type 33
- Press × (multiply)
- Press = repeatedly
This alone won't get you to overflow quickly. The real trick that circulates online — especially among students — typically involves:
- Enter 33
- Press × then = to get 33², 33³, and so on
- Keep pressing = to continue multiplying by 33 each time
On most basic 8–10 digit calculators, the display maxes out somewhere around 10⁹⁹ to 10⁹⁹⁹ depending on the model, at which point it can no longer store or display the result and shows an error or overflow symbol.
The Factorial Variant 🔢
On scientific calculators with a factorial function (n!), 33 is significant because:
- 33! (33 factorial) equals approximately 8.68 × 10³⁶
- That's already enormous, but still within range for most scientific calculators
- However, pushing further — 69!, 100!, or beyond — quickly overflows standard calculator limits
The reason 33 specifically appears in many tricks is that it sits at a useful threshold: large enough to produce dramatic-looking numbers through repeated operations, but small enough to be easy to type and remember.
Why Different Calculators Show Different Results
Not every calculator will respond the same way to the same input. Several variables determine what you'll actually see:
| Factor | How It Affects the Result |
|---|---|
| Display digit limit | Basic calculators cap at 8–12 digits; scientific models go further |
| Internal precision | Some calculators compute beyond what they display |
| Error handling | Older models show E; modern apps may show ∞ or Overflow |
| OS/app version | Smartphone calculator apps update their behavior over time |
| Calculator mode | Standard vs. scientific mode changes available functions |
A basic dollar-store calculator will overflow with far smaller numbers than a graphing calculator like those used in high school math, which can handle results up to 10⁹⁹⁹ or beyond.
Smartphone Calculators Behave Differently ♾️
On iOS and Android native calculator apps, behavior varies:
- iOS Calculator (standard mode): Will display
∞when you divide any number by zero — the fastest and cleanest way to see the infinity symbol - Android Calculator (standard mode): Typically shows
Erroror∞depending on the manufacturer's implementation - Google Calculator app: Shows
∞on division by zero and on certain overflow conditions - Scientific mode apps: Tend to show
Infinityor1/0 = ∞explicitly
The divide by zero method (entering any number ÷ 0 =) is actually the most direct route to an infinity symbol on most modern calculator apps — and it's mathematically the correct representation of an undefined limit approaching infinity.
The Math Behind Why This Works
This isn't just a party trick — it reflects real mathematical behavior:
- Overflow happens when a number exceeds the maximum value a system can store in its allocated memory space
- Division by zero is mathematically undefined, but in the context of limits, it represents a value growing without bound — which is why calculators represent it as infinity
- Repeated multiplication by any number greater than 1 grows exponentially, which means it hits overflow faster than most people expect
On a calculator with a 10-digit display, you hit the ceiling after roughly log₁₀(10¹⁰) / log₁₀(33) ≈ 6.7 multiplications — meaning just 7 presses of = after entering 33 × 33 can produce overflow on very basic models.
What Affects Whether the 33 Trick Works for You
Whether you get a satisfying infinity result — or just a dry error message — depends on:
- Your calculator's digit capacity and how it handles overflow
- Whether you're in standard or scientific mode
- The specific app or hardware model you're using
- How many times you repeat the multiplication before the display caps out
A graphing calculator or high-precision app may simply display a very large number in scientific notation rather than showing any overflow at all — which means you'd need far more iterations, or a different operation entirely, to reach its limit.
The difference between seeing ∞, Error, 8888888888, or just a long scientific notation number comes down entirely to what's sitting in your hand or running on your screen. 🧮