- #1
Shahid Manzar
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I was wondering why is there a constant that isn't really a constant in mathematics?
I am talking about "e", as in exponent e which is the base of the natural logarithm. By definition e = lim (1 + 1/n)^n as n approaches infinity, but doesn't this make e a non-constant since infinity always changes? In fact we know that value of e varies between 2.70 to 2.80 (P. 248 Calculus 5th edition, Stewart)
Also if value of e varies then how does a calculator pick a given value for e to solve natural log problems and what is the logic for choosing that particular value for e.
Thank you for the help!
I am talking about "e", as in exponent e which is the base of the natural logarithm. By definition e = lim (1 + 1/n)^n as n approaches infinity, but doesn't this make e a non-constant since infinity always changes? In fact we know that value of e varies between 2.70 to 2.80 (P. 248 Calculus 5th edition, Stewart)
Also if value of e varies then how does a calculator pick a given value for e to solve natural log problems and what is the logic for choosing that particular value for e.
Thank you for the help!