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The fast-growing hierarchy (FGH for short) is a certain hierarchy mapping ordinals $$\alpha$$ (below the supremum $$\mu$$ of a fixed system of fundamental sequences) to functions $$f_\alpha: \mathbb{N} \rightarrow \mathbb{N}$$. For large ordinals $$\alpha$$, $$f_\alpha$$ may grow very rapidly. Due to its simple and clear definition, as well as its origins in professional mathematics, FGH is a popular benchmark for large number functions.

## Warning

A reader should be very careful that there are many wrong "introductions" in personal web sites, videos, and user blogs, although they are unfortunately preferred by beginners. Since mathematical notions such as ordinals and fundamental sequences are quite abstract and difficult to handle in a precise manner, people tend to give intuitive desciptions of them, which look simpler and cooler for beginners than precise explanations. However, such "introductions" frequently include serious errors, because the authors have also studied them from other intuitive descriptions instead of precise definitions. An important point is that precise descriptions of them are actually needed to understand the fast-growing hierarchy. The reason why precise descriptions look complicated is not because it is just poorly written or redundant, but is because the notions are actually quite difficult, although such wrong "introductions" sometimes explain them as simple notions.

If you are unfamiliar with using ordinals in functions, you may want to read the introduction to the fast-growing hierarchy article. Also, be careful that there are many wrong descriptions of the computability of functions in a fast-growing hierarchy. Although googologists sometimes state that a given function is computable because it is given by a fast-growing hierarchy, it is a typical mistake. A function defined by a method using infinite ordinals such as a fast-growing hierachy is not necessarily computable. In order to ensure the computability of a function defined by a fast-growing hierarchy, we need to construct an explicit algorithm to compute it, and a common example is an algorithm for fundamental sequences over an ordinal notation. Functions as small as $$f_\omega$$ on the fast-growing hierarchy can be uncomputable without a definition using an explicit algorithm. Since an algorithm only accepts elements in a countable set with a fixed enumeration, infinite ordinals in a set without fixed enumeration are not allowed. In order to solve the issue on the computability, we often use ordinal notations.

## Definition

The fast-growing hierarchy consists of an ordinal $$\mu$$ and a fundamental sequence system $$S:\mu\cap\textrm{Lim} \rightarrow (\mathbb N\rightarrow \mu)$$, where $$S(\alpha)(n)$$ is denoted $$\alpha[n]$$, and where $$\textrm{Lim}$$ denotes the class of limit ordinals. The semantics are as follows:

• $$f_0(n) = n + 1$$
• $$f_{\alpha+1}(n) = f^n_\alpha(n)$$, where $$f^n$$ denotes function iteration
• $$f_\alpha(n) = f_{\alpha[n]}(n)$$ if $$\alpha$$ is a limit ordinal

Here, $$\alpha[n]$$ denotes the $$n$$th term of a fixed fundamental sequence assigned to ordinal $$\alpha$$. A system of fundamental sequences for limit ordinals below a given supremum is not unique, and fast-growing hierarchy heavily depends on the choice of such a system. In particular, fast-growing hierarchy is ill-defined unless a specific choice of a system of fundamental sequences is explicitly fixed in the context. Beginners should be very careful about this issue, because it frequently appears when googologists talk about "catching ordinals", "ordinal regarded as the growth rate", "the proof-theoretic ordinal in fast-growing hierarchy" and so on without understanding the dependency of the choice of a system of fundamental sequences. The general case where $$f_0$$ is any increasing function forms a fast iteration hierarchy.

Some authors instead set $$f_{\alpha+1}(n) = f^{n+1}_\alpha(n)$$ for the second line. [1]

For the fast-growing hierarchy to be useful to googologists, it is also expected to satisfy the property that for all $$\alpha < \beta < \mu$$, $$f_\alpha$$ is eventually dominated by $$f_\beta$$, although it is not necessarily true for a general system of fundamenal sequences.[2][3] The reader should be careful that many googologists do not know this fact and implicitly assume this property even when there is no proof for the specific system of fundamental sequence in the context. See also Church-Kleene ordinal#Fast-growing hierarchy for common misconceptions replated to fast-growing hierarchy.

## Systems of fundamental sequences

### Wainer hierarchy

Definitions of the fast-growing hierarchy and choices of fundamental sequence systems vary between authors, so it is generally problematic to speak of "the" fast-growing hierarchy. The most well-known FGH, however, is the Wainer hierarchy, which has $$\mu = \varepsilon_0 + 1$$ and an FS system defined as follows:

• $$\omega[n] = n$$
• $$\omega^{\alpha + 1}[n] = \omega^\alpha n$$ (where $$\omega^\alpha n = \omega^\alpha + \omega^\alpha + \cdots + \omega^\alpha + \omega^\alpha$$ with n $$\omega^\alpha$$'s)
• $$\omega^{\alpha}[n] = \omega^{\alpha[n]}$$ if and only if $$\alpha$$ is a limit ordinal
• $$(\omega^{\alpha_1} + \omega^{\alpha_2} + \cdots + \omega^{\alpha_{k - 1}} + \omega^{\alpha_k})[n] = \omega^{\alpha_1} + \omega^{\alpha_2} + \cdots + \omega^{\alpha_{k - 1}} + \omega^{\alpha_k}[n]$$ where $$\alpha_1 \geq \alpha_2 \geq \cdots \geq \alpha_{k - 1} \geq \alpha_k$$
• $$\varepsilon_0[0] = 0$$ (alternatively $$1$$)
• $$\varepsilon_0[n + 1] = \omega^{\varepsilon_0[n]}$$ = $$\omega\uparrow\uparrow (n-1)$$ (alternatively $$\omega\uparrow\uparrow n$$)

For example, the fundamental sequence for $$\omega^\omega$$ is $$1, \omega, \omega^2, \omega^3, \ldots$$. When authors refer to "the fast-growing hierarchy" without clarification, the Wainer hierarchy is usually meant.

Functions in Wainer hierarchy are known to be computable, because the whole system can be encoded into the ordinal notation associated to Iterated Cantor normal form with additional structures.

### Veblen hierarchy

Every non-zero ordinal $$\alpha$$ can be uniquely written in Veblen's variation of Cantor's normal form:

$$\alpha=\varphi_{\beta_1}(\gamma_1) + \varphi_{\beta_2}(\gamma_2) + \cdots + \varphi_{\beta_k}(\gamma_k)$$, where $$\varphi_{\beta}(\gamma)$$ is a function of Veblen's hierarchy, $$\varphi_{\beta_1}(\gamma_1) \ge \varphi_{\beta_2}(\gamma_2) \ge \cdots \ge \varphi_{\beta_k}(\gamma_k)$$ and each $$\gamma_m < \varphi_{\beta_m}(\gamma_m)$$,

For limit ordinals $$\alpha<\Gamma_0$$, written in Veblen's variation of Cantor's normal form, the fundamental sequences for the Veblen's hierarchy are defined as follows:

• $$(\varphi_{\beta_1}(\gamma_1) + \varphi_{\beta_2}(\gamma_2) + \cdots + \varphi_{\beta_k}(\gamma_k))[n]=\varphi_{\beta_1}(\gamma_1) + \cdots + \varphi_{\beta_{k-1}}(\gamma_{k-1}) + (\varphi_{\beta_k}(\gamma_k) [n])$$
• $$\varphi_0(\gamma)=\omega^{\gamma}$$ and $$\varphi_0(\gamma+1) [n] = \omega^{\gamma} \cdot n$$
• $$\varphi_{\beta+1}(0)[n]=\varphi_{\beta}^n(0)$$, where $$\varphi^n$$ denotes function iteration
• $$\varphi_{\beta+1}(\gamma+1)[n]=\varphi_{\beta}^n(\varphi_{\beta+1}(\gamma)+1)$$
• $$\varphi_{\beta}(\gamma) [n] = \varphi_{\beta}(\gamma [n])$$ for a limit ordinal $$\gamma<\varphi_\beta(\gamma)$$
• $$\varphi_{\beta}(0) [n] = \varphi_{\beta [n]}(0)$$ for a limit ordinal $$\beta<\varphi_\beta(0)$$
• $$\varphi_{\beta}(\gamma+1) [n] = \varphi_{\beta [n]}(\varphi_{\beta}(\gamma)+1)$$ for a limit ordinal $$\beta$$

Veblen's function can be presented as a two-argument function $$\varphi_\beta(\gamma)=\varphi(\beta,\gamma)$$.

Note: $$\varphi(0,\gamma)=\omega^\gamma$$, $$\varphi(1,\gamma)=\varepsilon_\gamma$$, $$\varphi(2,\gamma)=\zeta_\gamma$$ and $$\varphi(3,\gamma)=\eta_\gamma$$

Functions in Veblen hierarchy are known to be computable, because the whole system can be encoded into the ordinal notation associated to Veblen's $$\varphi$$ with additional structures.

### Buchholz hierarchy

In An Independence Result for ($$\Pi_1^1$$-CA) + BI, Wilfried Buchholz discusses an ordinal hierarchy where $$\mu = \psi_0(\varepsilon_{\Omega_\omega + 1})$$, where $$\psi$$ is Buchholz's ordinal collapsing function and $$\psi_0(\varepsilon_{\Omega_\omega + 1})$$ is the TFB ordinal.

Functions in Buchholz hierarchy are known to be computable, because the whole system can be encoded into Buchholz's ordinal notation with additional structures.

### Other hierarchies

We can easily replace the Wainer hierarchy with a different one, such as a hierarchy that works for much larger ordinals such as the small Veblen ordinal or the Takeuti-Feferman-Buchholz ordinal. As long as fundamental sequences are defined, it is possible to extend FGH up to an arbitrary countable ordinal. However, it is impossible to create an effective system that works for all countable ordinals, since a system of fundamental sequences up to $$\omega_1$$ would be nonconstructive.

Selecting fundamental sequences is not an easy problem, since some selections can lead to pathological hierarchies where $$\alpha < \beta$$ does not necessarily imply $$f_\alpha <^* f_\beta$$ (where $$<^*$$ means eventual domination). In a 1976 paper, Diana Schmidt proved a theorem that is useful for identifying and guarding against pathological hierarchies.[4] Given a fundamental sequence system, define $$P(\beta + 1) = \beta$$ and $$\forall \beta \in \text{Lim} : P(\beta) = \beta[0]$$. A fundamental sequence system is built-up if, for all $$\alpha$$ and $$n$$, $$\alpha[n] = P^k(\alpha[n+1])$$ for some $$1 \leq k < \omega$$. Schmidt essentially showed that a built-up fundamental sequence system guarantees that all $$f_\alpha$$ are monotonically increasing and that $$\alpha < \beta \Rightarrow f_\alpha <^* f_\beta$$. (Although the proof assume that a given hierarchy satisfies $$f_{\alpha}(1) < f_{\alpha+1}(1)$$, which is false in the fast-growing hierarchy, it is easy to modify the proof so that it becomes applicable to the fast-growing hierarchy.)

It is possible to define the fast-growing hierarchy for all recursive ordinals, and even for nonrecursive countable ordinals. However, the definitions will necessarily be nonrecursive, making analysis far more complicated. To our knowledge, there has been no research into the creation of nonrecursive fast-growing hierarchies.

For many cases, the computability of a fast-growing hierachy for a given system of fundamental sequences is non-trivial, although googologists often regard it trivial without understanding the issue.

## Approximations

Below are some functions in the Wainer hierarchy and Veblen's hierarchy compared to other googological notations. There are a few things to note:

• Relationships denoted $$f_\alpha(n) > g(n)$$ hold for sufficiently large $$n$$, not necessarily all $$n$$ (i.e. $$f_\alpha$$ eventually dominates $$g$$).
• $$m$$ indicates any positive integer.
• $$\uparrow$$ indicates arrow notation.
• $$\textrm{Ack}$$ indicates Harvey Friedman's single-argument Ackermann function $$\textrm{Ack}(n)$$.
• $$\lbrace \rbrace$$ indicates BAN.
• We use several systems of fundamental sequences throughout this section, such as those for Cantor normal form, those for the Veblen function, and those for ???

\begin{eqnarray*} f_0(n) &=& n + 1 \\ f_1(n) &=& f_0^n(n) = ( \cdots ((n + 1) + 1) + \cdots + 1) = n + n = 2n \\ f_2(n) &=& f_1^n(n) = 2(2(\ldots 2(2n))) = 2^n n > 2^n \\ f_3(n) &\ge& 2^nn((2^{2^nn})\uparrow\uparrow (n-1)) \ge 2\uparrow\uparrow n\\ f_4(n) &\ge& f_3(n)\uparrow\uparrow\uparrow n \ge 2\uparrow\uparrow\uparrow n \\ f_m(n) &\ge& f_{m-1}(n)\uparrow^{m-1}n \ge 2\uparrow^{m-1} n \\ f_\omega(n) &\ge& f_\omega(n-1)\uparrow^{n-1}n \ge 2\uparrow^{n-1} n = \text{Ack}(n) \\ f_{\omega+1}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,1,2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega+2}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,2,2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega+m}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,m,2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega\times 2}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,n,2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega\times 3}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,n,3 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega\times m}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,n,m \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^2}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,n,n \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^3}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,n,n,n \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^m}(n) &>& \lbrace n,m+2 [2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n+2 [2] 2 \rbrace > \lbrace n,n [2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega}+1}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,2 [2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega}+2}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,3 [2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega}+m}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,m+1 [2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega}+\omega}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,n+1 [2] 2 \rbrace > \lbrace n,n,n [2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega}+\omega+1}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,1,2 [2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega}+\omega2}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,n,2 [2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega}+\omega^2}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,n,n [2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{{\omega^{\omega}}2}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [2] 3 \rbrace \\ f_{{\omega^{\omega}}3}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [2] 4 \rbrace \\ f_{{\omega^{\omega}}m}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [2] m+1 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega+1}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [2] n+1 \rbrace > \lbrace n,n [2] n \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega+2}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [2] n,n \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega+3}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n,n [2] n,n,n \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega+m}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,m [2] 1 [2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega2}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [2] 1 [2] 2 \rbrace = \lbrace n,2 [3] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega3}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [2] 1 [2] 1 [2] 2 \rbrace = \lbrace n,3 [3] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega m}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,m [3] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega^2}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [3] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega^3}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [4] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega^m}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [m+1] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\omega^{\omega^\omega}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [n+1] 2 \rbrace = \lbrace n,n [1,2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{^4{\omega}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{^5{\omega}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1,2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{^6{\omega}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1 [2] 2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [ [1]] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_02}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [ [1]] 3 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0m}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [ [1]] m+1 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0\omega}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [ [1]] n+1 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0{\omega^{\omega}}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [ [1]] 1 [2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0{\omega^{\omega^{\omega}}}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [ [1]] 1 [1,2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0{\omega^{\omega^{\omega^{\omega}}}}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [ [1]] 1 [1 [2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0^2}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [ [1]] 1 [ [1]] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0^3}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [ [1]] 1 [ [1]] 1 [ [1]] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0^{\omega}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [ [2]] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0^{\omega^{\omega}}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [ [1,2]] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0^{\omega^{\omega^{\omega}}}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [[1 [2] 2]] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0^{\varepsilon_0}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [[1 [ [1]] 2]] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0^{\varepsilon_0^{\varepsilon_0}}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [[1 [ [1]] 1 [ [1]] 2]] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_0^{\varepsilon_0^{\varepsilon_0^{\varepsilon_0}}}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [[1 [[1 [ [1]] 2]] 2]] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_1}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [[[1]]] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_2}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [[[ [1]]]] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_{\omega}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1,2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_{\omega^2}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1,1,2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_{\omega^{\omega}}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1 [2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_{\omega^{\omega^{\omega}}}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1 [1,2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_{\varepsilon_0}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1 [ [1]] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_{\varepsilon_{\varepsilon_0}}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1 [1\backslash1 [ [1]] 2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\zeta_0}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1\backslash2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\zeta_0^{\zeta_0}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1\backslash1\backslash2] 2\backslash1\backslash2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_{\zeta_0+1}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash2\backslash2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_{\zeta_0+2}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash3\backslash2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varepsilon_{\varepsilon_{\zeta_0+1}}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1 [1\backslash2\backslash2] 2\backslash2]2 \rbrace \\ f_{\zeta_1}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1\backslash3] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\zeta_2}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1\backslash4] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\zeta_{\zeta_0}}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1\backslash1 [1\backslash1\backslash2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\eta_0}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1\backslash1\backslash2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varphi(4,0)}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\backslash1\backslash1\backslash1\backslash2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varphi(\omega,0)}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [2]\backslash2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varphi(\varphi(\omega,0),0)}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1 [1 [2]\backslash2]\backslash2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\Gamma_0}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1/2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\varphi(1,0,0,0)}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1\neg4] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\Omega^{\omega})}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1\neg1,2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\Omega^{\Omega})}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1\neg1\neg2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\Omega^{\Omega^{\Omega}})}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1 [1\backslash_33] 2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\vartheta_1(1))}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1\sim3] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\vartheta_1(2))}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1\sim1\sim2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\vartheta_1(\omega))}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1 [2/_32] 2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\vartheta_1(\Omega))}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1 [1/2/_32] 2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\Omega_2)}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1 [1\sim2/_32] 2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\Omega_3)}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [1 [1 [1/_32/_42] 2] 2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\Omega_{\omega})}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1\bullet2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\Omega_{\varepsilon_0})}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [2/_{1 [1\backslash2] 2}2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\Omega_{\Gamma_0})}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [2/_{1 [1/2] 2}2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\Omega_{\vartheta(\Omega_2)})}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [2/_{1 [1 [1 [1\sim2/_32] 2] 2] 2}2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\Omega_{\vartheta(\Omega_3)})}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [2/_{1 [1 [1 [1 [1/_32/_42] 2] 2] 2] 2}2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\Omega_{\vartheta(\Omega_{\omega})})}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [2/_{1 [1\bullet2] 2}2] 2] 2 \rbrace \\ f_{\vartheta(\Omega_{\vartheta(\Omega_{\vartheta(\Omega_{\omega})})})}(n) &>& \lbrace n,n [1 [2/_{1 [2/_{1 [1\bullet2] 2}2] 2}2] 2] 2 \rbrace \end{eqnarray*}

## Extended Grzegorczyk hierarchy

The Grzegorczyk hierarchy is a hierarchy of functions (specifically - it contains all and only the primitive recursive functions) classified by growth rate. Although the 'extended Grzegorczyk hierarchy' can sometimes be an alternate name for the fast-growing hierarchy, it may also be used as a way of strictly classifying functions based on their growth rates, and a system of fundamental sequences.

## Specific numbers

• 160 is an integer equal to f2(5), and also the number of possible knight moves in 6×6 minichess.
• 212 is the first number n, such that f2(n) is larger than the first noncanonical -illion.
• The isotope radium-212 is the only radium nuclide with negative mass excess. No heavier elements have any isotopes with negative mass excess.
• 384 is an integer equal to f2(6), 8!! and 12!!!!, and also the number of days in some years in the Hebrew calendar.
• 896 is an integer equal to f2(7), and also the number of possible Rook moves in chess.
• 1,651 is the smallest number n, for which f2(n) is larger than a googolding. Its prime factorization is 13 × 127.
• 4,608 is an integer equal to f2(9), and also an Achilles number and the number of possible Rook moves in quatrochess.
• 10,240 is an integer equal to f2(10), which Denis Maksudov calls that number 'balum'.
• 491,520 is an integer equal to f2(15). Additionally, it has an unrelated property: As it is equal to 6C4 × 224−1, it also appears in UEFA European Championship-related combinatorics.

## Sources

1. A. Freund and F. Pakhomov, “Short Proofs for Slow Consistency” (p.4). Notre Dame Journal of Formal Logic, 61 (1): 31–49. doi:10.1215/00294527-2019-0031 arXiv:1712.03251
2. User blog:P進大好きbot/A larger orderinal does not necessarily correspond to a greater function through FGH
3. T. Kihara, omega-1-ck.pdf.
4. Diana Schmidt, Built-up systems of fundamental sequences and hierarchies of number-theoretic functions, Archiv für mathematische Logik und Grundlagenforschung 18 (1976), pp. 47--53.
5. Unrelated Numbers | PlantStar's Large Numbers
6. Khang2009 Turing machine for computing FGH of growth rate less than omega, 2021-12-20.