RE: Math trivia -Reply

["Neil, David M" <neildm@id.doe.gov>]

	Better re-read your math text; I ran both equations empirically
out to n = 1000 in a spreadsheet and  (1+n)**1/n approaches 1
asymptotically from above, where  (1 + 1/n)**n approaches e
asymptotically from below.

Dave Neil	 
neildm@id.doe.gov	 

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	ANTHONY F. ARMAGNO [SMTP:ARMAGAF@GWSMTP.NU.COM]
> Sent:	Wednesday, April 15, 1998 1:36 PM
> To:	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject:	Re: Math trivia -Reply
> 
> Dear Diane,
>   Joan is correct in that e is a limit as n approaches zero, but her
> equation
> is different from the one I have in my math text, namely:
>   e = limit (1+n)**1/n
> When I calculate a value of 1E-6 in my equation I get 2.718, when I
> use the
> same value in Joan's equation, I get 1.0001.  Good luck.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> Anthony F. (Tony) Armagno
> Northeast Utilities Millstone Station
> Tele: (860) 437-2519
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