Y=e^xlna increases less quickly than y=e^x when a<e e. i. lna<1?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison of the growth rates of the functions \( y = e^{x \ln(a)} \) and \( y = e^x \) under the condition that \( a < e \). Participants are exploring the implications of the natural logarithm of \( a \) being less than 1 and how this affects the behavior of the functions as \( x \) varies.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the interpretation of the expressions involving \( e^{x \ln(a)} \) and \( e^x \), particularly in terms of their growth rates. There is a discussion about whether \( e^{x \ln(a)} \) can be greater than \( e^x \) when \( \ln(a) < 1 \). Some participants are also considering specific values for \( a \) to illustrate their points.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing insights and clarifications regarding the mathematical relationships between the functions. There is a recognition of the need to carefully consider the conditions under which the comparisons hold true, particularly the implications of \( a < e \) and the behavior of logarithmic functions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the expressions being discussed can lead to confusion without proper use of parentheses, and there is an emphasis on the importance of understanding the conditions under which the inequalities are valid. The discussion also touches on the limitations of using specific numerical examples as proof.

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Homework Statement



I find this a bit tough to digest. Can somebody, please, elaborate?

"Because lna<1 when a<e you can see that the graph increases less quickly than the graph of e^x.."

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



Shouldn't e^xlna > e^x even if lna<1 ?

Thanks.
 
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Is

\frac{1}{2}e^x&gt;e^x ??

Of course not, because whatever ex is (we would determine its value if we were given x) half of it is always less since ex>0 for all x.

You can't extend this concept for all problems however. It wouldn't be completely true that x\ln(a)&lt;x for 0<a<e because if x = -2 for example, then half or any other value of ln(a), -2\ln(a)&gt;-2

So keep in mind when doing these problems that you're dealing with a special case that ex>0 for all x.
 
Mentallic said:
Is

\frac{1}{2}e^x&gt;e^x ??

Of course not, because whatever ex is (we would determine its value if we were given x) half of it is always less since ex>0 for all x.

You can't extend this concept for all problems however. It wouldn't be completely true that x\ln(a)&lt;x for 0<a<e because if x = -2 for example, then half or any other value of ln(a), -2\ln(a)&gt;-2

So keep in mind when doing these problems that you're dealing with a special case that ex>0 for all x.

Is e^xlna=lna*e^x ?

So, if a=1 and lna=0, then e^xlna<e^x, because e^xlna will equal 0 ?

Thank You.
 
solve said:
Is e^xlna=lna*e^x ?
Yes, they're equivalent. I prefer to have the log function at the end though just because people can confuse lna* ex with \ln(a*e^x) = \ln a+\ln (e^x) = \ln a + x so if you do it that way, just be sure to add parenthesis in the right places, mainly ln(a)*ex
solve said:
So, if a=1 and lna=0, then e^xlna<e^x, because e^xlna will equal 0 ?

Thank You.
Yep! And if a=e then lna=1 so ex*lna = ex in this case.
Also remember the rules of logs that you can only take the log of a number greater than zero, so when we say exlna < ex we need to add that this is only true for 0<a<e
 
Mentallic said:
Yes, they're equivalent. I prefer to have the log function at the end though just because people can confuse lna* ex with \ln(a*e^x) = \ln a+\ln (e^x) = \ln a + x so if you do it that way, just be sure to add parenthesis in the right places, mainly ln(a)*ex

Yep! And if a=e then lna=1 so ex*lna = ex in this case.
Also remember the rules of logs that you can only take the log of a number greater than zero, so when we say exlna < ex we need to add that this is only true for 0<a<e

Thank You, Mentallic. It made my day.
 
solve said:

Homework Statement



I find this a bit tough to digest. Can somebody, please, elaborate?

"Because lna<1 when a<e you can see that the graph increases less quickly than the graph of e^x.."

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



Shouldn't e^xlna > e^x even if lna<1 ?

Thanks.

Since you fail to use brackets, it is not clear what your expression e^xlna means. Is it e^{x \ln(a)} \mbox{ or } e^x \ln(a)?

RGV
 
Last edited:
Ray Vickson said:
Since you fail to use brackets, it is not clear what your expression e^xlna means. Is it e^{x \ln(a)} \mbox{ or } e^x \ln(a)?

RGV

The first one. E to the power of X times natural log of A. Sorry for the ambiguity.
 
solve said:
The first one. E to the power of X times natural log of A. Sorry for the ambiguity.

Oh... This whole time I was going with the second one

e^{x\ln(a)} is equivalent to \left(e^{\ln(a)}\right)^x :wink:edit: Something I have to note because I was going on the assumption that you were talking about e^x\cdot \ln(a)

solve said:
Is e^xlna=lna*e^x ?
No.

Sorry about getting the wrong ideas into your head. Keep in mind that everything I've been saying was intended to address the question of why \ln(a)\cdot e^x &lt; e^x for 0<a<e

The answer you're looking for however is in the hint I provided above about using the indice laws.
 
Last edited:
Mentallic said:
Oh... This whole time I was going with the second one

\left(e^{\ln(a)}\right)^x

\left(e^{\ln(a)}\right)^x = a^x here?
 
  • #10
Please, check to see if this is what I was trying to see from the get-go.

1. e^[x*ln(a)] <e^x if a<e

If a=2 and ln(a)=0.69, then

e^[x*ln(a)]: x=2, y=4 (approx)

e^x: x=2, y=8 (approx)

Here, y=e^x grows faster than y=e^[x*ln(a)]

2. e^[x*ln(a)] > e^x if a>e

If a=3 and ln(a)=1.1, then

e^[x*ln(a)]: x=4, y=81 (approx)

e^x: x=4, y=54(approx)

Here, y=e^[x*ln(a)] grows faster than y=e^x
 
  • #11
solve said:
\left(e^{\ln(a)}\right)^x = a^x here?

Yes, and since a<e, a^x&lt;e^x which is essentially all you need to understand.

solve said:
Please, check to see if this is what I was trying to see from the get-go.

1. e^[x*ln(a)] <e^x if a<e

If a=2 and ln(a)=0.69, then

e^[x*ln(a)]: x=2, y=4 (approx)
y=4 exactly, not approximately. If a=2 then e^{x\ln(a)}=\left(e^{\ln(a)}\right)^x=a^x=2^2=4

solve said:
e^x: x=2, y=8 (approx)

Here, y=e^x grows faster than y=e^[x*ln(a)]

2. e^[x*ln(a)] > e^x if a>e

If a=3 and ln(a)=1.1, then

e^[x*ln(a)]: x=4, y=81 (approx)

e^x: x=4, y=54(approx)

Here, y=e^[x*ln(a)] grows faster than y=e^x

Yes, pretty much. Using a few test values can help you get the idea of what is happening, but don't use it as an absolute proof.
 
  • #12
Mentallic said:
Yes, and since a<e, a^x&lt;e^x which is essentially all you need to understand.

Simple and elegant. This settles it. Thank You again, Mentallic.
 
  • #13
solve said:
Simple and elegant. This settles it. Thank You again, Mentallic.

No worries, and sorry again about wasting your time and confusing you with all that nonsense before.
 

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