# Math Help - series convergence question

1. ## series convergence question

This is probably really obvious, but I am not seeing it.

Why does,

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

2. Originally Posted by mollymcf2009
This is probably really obvious, but I am not seeing it.

Why does,

$\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty} (1 + \frac{1}{n})^n = e$ ?
Apply L'Hopital's rule. By direct evaluation, it has the indeterminate form of $1^{\infty}$

Let $L=\lim_{n\to\infty} \left(1 + \frac{1}{n}\right)^n$

We then see that $\ln\left(L\right)=\lim_{n\to\infty}n\ln\left(1+\fr ac{1}{n}\right)=\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{\ln\left(1+ \frac{1}{n}\right)}{\frac{1}{n}}$. Now if we directly evaluate the limit, we have the case $\frac{0}{0}$, which then satisfies the condition to apply L'Hopital's Rule.

Now, $\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{\ln\left(1+\frac{1}{n}\righ t)}{\frac{1}{n}}=\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{\frac{1}{1 +\frac{1}{n}}\cdot-\frac{1}{n^2}}{-\frac{1}{n^2}}=\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{1}{1+\frac{1 }{n}}=1$

But, $\ln\left(L\right)=\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{\ln\left( 1+\frac{1}{n}\right)}{\frac{1}{n}}=1\implies L=e^1=e$

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

In a more general sense, I leave it for you to show that $\boxed{\lim_{n\to\infty}\left(1+\frac{a}{n}\right) ^n=e^a}$

Does this demystify things?

3. Just a little observation: the use of L'Hopital rule in demonstration that...

$\lim_{r \rightarrow \infty} (1+\frac{1}{r})^{r} = e$ (1)

... presupposes that you have demonstrated before that...

$\frac {d}{dx} \ln x = \frac {1}{x}$ (2)

... and that presupposes you have demonstrated before that...

$\frac {d}{dx} e^{x} = e^{x}$ (3)

... and that presupposes you have demonstrated before that...

$\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} \frac{e^{x}-1}{x}= 1$ (4)

... and that presupposes you have demonstrated before (1)...

So invoking L'Hopital's rule for demostration of (1) is a sort of 'vicious circle' and is better to avoid it...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$

4. you can't prove $\lim_{n\to\infty}(1 + 1/n)^n=e$ because it's just a definition! well, unless you have another definition of $e$ and you want to prove that the one you have implies the one that we have!

anyway, the only thing which needs to be proved here is that $\lim_{n\to\infty}(1 + 1/n)^n$ exists, which it does of course. now $e$ is just a name for the limit.

5. It is interesting however the demonstration that the number e can be defined as limit in two different ways...

$e= \lim_{n\rightarrow \infty} (1+\frac {1}{n})^{n} = \lim_{n\rightarrow \infty} \sum_{k=0}^{n} \frac{1}{k!}$

From the pratical point of view the accurate computation of e as...

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

... requires an n of the order of several milions, while the accurate computation of e as...

$e = \lim_{n\rightarrow \infty} \sum_{k=0}^{n} \frac{1}{k!}$

... requires n less than 10! ...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$