Euler's number e and Jacob Bernoulli's expression

In summary, Euler's number e is a mathematical constant that is approximately equal to 2.71828 and has an infinite number of decimal places. Jacob Bernoulli was a Swiss mathematician who developed the "Bernoulli distribution" involving e to calculate probabilities. E has many important applications in mathematics and is often referred to as the "most important number" due to its widespread use and significance in various areas of the field. It can be calculated through different methods, including infinite series and continued fractions.
  • #1
JeremyEbert
204
0
Jacob Bernoulli's expression for e:

n-> LIM (1+1/n)^n

converges much slower than

n-> LIM (n-1/n+1)^(-2/n)

is this a better expression for e?

edit!
n-> LIM (n-1/n+1)^(-n/2)
sorry for the typo!
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
For the record, any sequence of numbers converging to the same limit as (1+(1/n))^n could be taken as a definition of "e".
 
  • #3
yea, I know there are a good amount of equations converging around e.
n-> LIM (n-1/n+1)^(-n/2) just seems to do it quickly and its a core piece to and equation I've been working on.
 

1. What is Euler's number e?

Euler's number e is a mathematical constant that is approximately equal to 2.71828. It is an irrational number, meaning that it cannot be expressed as a simple fraction, and it has an infinite number of decimal places.

2. Who is Jacob Bernoulli and what is his expression involving e?

Jacob Bernoulli was a Swiss mathematician who lived in the 17th and 18th centuries. He is most well-known for his contributions to the field of probability, including his famous expression known as the "Bernoulli distribution." This expression involves e and is used to calculate the probability of a success or failure in a series of independent events.

3. What is the significance of e in mathematics?

Euler's number e has many important applications in mathematics, including in calculus, differential equations, and number theory. It is also used in various real-world situations, such as compound interest and population growth.

4. How is e calculated?

Euler's number e can be calculated in several ways, including through infinite series, continued fractions, and using the natural logarithm function. One of the most common ways to calculate e is by using the limit of (1 + 1/n)^n as n approaches infinity, which results in a value very close to e.

5. Why is e often referred to as the "most important number" in mathematics?

Euler's number e is often considered the most important number in mathematics because of its widespread use and significance in many areas of the field. It arises naturally in many mathematical equations and has numerous applications in both pure and applied mathematics.

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