Is this 'e' interpretation correct?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of the mathematical constant 'e', particularly in relation to concepts of gain and time. Participants explore whether 'e' can be described as a "patience number" in the context of limits and compound interest.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that 'e' represents "what you get if you wait for the least gain, by waiting for the most amount of time," suggesting a conceptual link to patience.
  • Another participant challenges this interpretation, indicating disagreement without providing an explanation.
  • A subsequent post reiterates the initial interpretation and questions its relation to compound interest returns.
  • Another participant suggests examining the limit of a different expression, arguing that it yields less gain for a longer waiting period, which challenges the original claim.
  • One participant points out the lack of clarity regarding the terms "gain" and "waiting," questioning the basis of the initial interpretation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to agree on the interpretation of 'e' as a "patience number," with multiple competing views and challenges to the initial claim remaining unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unclear definitions of "gain" and "waiting," as well as the need for further elaboration on the mathematical expressions referenced.

cdux
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Considering e is the limit->+oo of (1+1/n)^n, then is e "what you get if you wait for the least gain, by waiting for the most amount of time"? Something like "e is the patience number".
 
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Hmm..No.
 
arildno said:
Hmm..No.
No explanation?
 
cdux said:
Considering e is the limit->+oo of (1+1/n)^n, then is e "what you get if you wait for the least gain, by waiting for the most amount of time"? Something like "e is the patience number".

Is this in regards to compound interest returns?
 
cdux said:
No explanation?
You might wish to look at, for example, the actual limit of, for example, (1+1/(3n))^(2n)
which, for every particular choice of "n" will have a less gain waited for for an even greater period of time than the one you happende to pick.
 
What explanation could be given when you haven't said what you mean by "gain" or "waiting".
 

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