# Epsilon-Delta Limit Proof

1. Aug 12, 2006

### mannyfold

Can anyone prove that the limit of e^x as x --> 1 is e using the epsilon-delta method?

This is not a homework problem, but I am trying to review my course in analysis from a few years back, and this one has me stumped.

2. Aug 12, 2006

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Exactly how are you defining ex? One standard way is to define an, for n a positive integer, as $a\ddot a\cdot\cdot\cdot a$ n times. Then a0= 1 follows from an+ m= anam, a-n= 1/an follows from the same, $a^{\frac{1}{n}}= ^n/sqrt{a}$, $a^{\frac{m}{n}}= ^n\sqrt{a^m}$ which give ar for r any rational number. To define ax for x an arbitrary real number, we take a sequence of rational numbers {rn} that converges to x and define $a^x= \lim_{n\leftarrow \infty}a^{r_n}$. Of course, that defines ax to be continuous for all x so ex goes to e as x goes to 1 by continuity.

Another method is to define $ln(x)= \int_0^x \frac{1}{x}dx$ and then define ex to be the inverse function to ln(x). Of course, since ln(x) is defined as an integral, it is continuous and so is its inverse. That is, ex is continuous by definition and again ex goes to e as x goes to 1 by continuity.

3. Aug 12, 2006

### mannyfold

I'm simply using e = 2.718... and raising it to x, nothing fancy about it. I'm looking for the trick that will give me delta in terms of epsilon (the epsilon-delta proof) or somehow to put a bound on delta.

Unfortunately, for this, I'm not at liberty to make definitions. It's not merely proving the limit, but utilizing the epsilon-delta approach. Thanks, though.

(I'm preparing for an entrance exam.)

4. Aug 13, 2006

### mathwonk

what are the rest of your decimals? unlkess you tell us exactly what number e is, you cannot prove that e^x really approaches e as x goes to 1 by your method. and unless you define precisely what e^x means you also cannot do it.

the easiest way is halls second method that e^x is continuous, since it is the inverse of the continuous function ln(x), hence it suffices to show e^1 = e, but that follows from the fact that e is defined as the unique number such that ln(e) = 1.

5. Aug 13, 2006

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
I didn't say you should "make" definitions but you certainly have to use definitions in order to prove anything. Saying "I'm simply using e = 2.718... and raising it to x, nothing fancy about it." makes no sense. That's extremely "fancy"! Raising an irrational number to an irrational power requires using limits itself. You will have to at least state a precise definition for "using e = 2.718... and raising it to x".

If this is a specific question on a practice exam, please state the complete problem itself.

6. Aug 13, 2006

### WigneRacah

Let $$\epsilon$$ be a small positive real number. We have to prove that there exists a correspondent $$\delta$$ such as

$| e^x - e | < \epsilon$ for all $1-\delta < x < 1+\delta$ and $x \neq 1$.

We have

$$| e^x - e | < \epsilon \Rightarrow -\epsilon < e^x - e < \epsilon \Rightarrow e - \epsilon < e^x < e + \epsilon \Rightarrow \ln (e-\epsilon) < x < \ln(e + \epsilon) \Rightarrow 1- \ln \frac{1}{1-\epsilon / e} < x < 1 + \ln (1+\epsilon/ e)$$

(we have used the fact that exponential an logarithmic functions are increasing in their domain).

Now, by noting that

$$\ln(1 + \epsilon/ e) < \ln \frac{1}{1-\epsilon /e}$$

we can choose $\delta = \ln (1 + \epsilon / e)$ which satisfies our initial request.

Last edited: Aug 13, 2006
7. Aug 13, 2006

### mannyfold

Gee, I didn't think that defining e was such a priority. I simply meant that e is the irrational number that serves as the base of the natural log, and as such, it can't be stated as a number with a definite number of decimal places (it is like PI in this regard).

Thanks, WigneRacah, you hit the nail right on the head!

8. Aug 13, 2006

### mathwonk

i agree the argument just given is nice and simple, but it proceeds bya ssuming all the thigns that have been pointed out as necessary. the hard part is to prove that log and exp do have the properties that were just assumed, using suitable definitions.

the argument just given is the trivial observation that if f and g are mutually inverse continuous, hence monotone (e.g. increasing) functions, then f maps the interval (a-e,a+e) to the interval (f(a)-d1,f(a)+d2) if and only if d1 = f(a) - f(a-e), and d2 = f(a+e) - f(a).

Last edited: Aug 13, 2006
9. Aug 13, 2006

### mathwonk

for instance, without a definition of log or of e, yopu have no idea what the number delta is that you have been given here, i.e. how can you say that delta must be ln(1 + epsilon/e) when you say you don't need a definition of e? if you don't know what e is then you don't know what ln(1 + epsilon/e) is either.

do you see? you are sort of asking for an answer that will look ok, on a test but without understanding what any of the letters mean in your answer. this is not your fault, as you seem not to have had any instruction in mathematical thinking or proof. the idea is to ask yourself what the symbols mean in your statements.

10. Aug 13, 2006

### Data

It's not in this case, since $\lim_{x \rightarrow 1}a^x = a$ $\forall a \in \mathbb{C}$ (using usual definitions). As Halls pointed out, you do need a rigorous definition for exponentiation of a real number by a real exponent, and of what a logarithm is, in order to do your problem.

Yes, but you have to understand that that's not a definition. Neither is "e = 2.712818..." because there are infinitely many numbers I can write that way. A common definition for $e$ is

$$e = \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty}\left(1+\frac{1}{n}\right)^n,$$

for example (you have to prove that the limit exists in order for this to make sense, of course). There are many other possibilities.

Last edited: Aug 13, 2006