Different definitions of e (Part 9): Connecting the two definitions

Algebra II, Calculus, Precalculus, Theorems 2 Minutes

In this series of posts, I consider how two different definitions of the number e are related to each other. The number e is usually introduced at two different places in the mathematics curriculum:

  1. Algebra II/Precalculus: If P dollars are invested at interest rate r for t years with continuous compound interest, then the amount of money after t years is A = Pe^{rt}.
  2. Calculus: The number e is defined to be the number so that the area under the curve y = 1/x from x = 1 to x = e is equal to 1, so that

\displaystyle \int_1^e \frac{dx}{x} = 1.

These two definitions appear to be very, very different. One deals with making money. The other deals with the area under a hyperbola. Amazingly, these two definitions are related to each other. In this series of posts, I’ll discuss the connection between the two.

logareagreen line

We begin with the second definition, which is usually considered the true definition of e. From this definition, I have shown in a previous post that we can derive the differentiation formulas

\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx} (\ln x) = \frac{1}{x} \qquad and \qquad \displaystyle \frac{d}{dx} \left( e^x \right) = e^x

beginning with this definition of the number e.

Theorem. \displaystyle \lim_{n \to \infty} P \left( 1 + \frac{r}{n} \right)^{nt} = Pe^{rt}.

Proof #1.In an earlier post in this series, I showed that

\displaystyle \frac{1}{x} = \displaystyle \lim_{h \to 0} \ln \left(1 + \frac{h}{x} \right)^{1/h}

Let’s now replace h with 1/n. Also, replace x with 1/r. Then we obtain

r = \displaystyle \lim_{n \to \infty} \ln \left(1 + \frac{1/n}{1/r} \right)^{n}

r = \displaystyle \lim_{n \to \infty} \ln \left(1 + \frac{r}{n} \right)^{n}

Multiply both sides by t:

rt = \displaystyle t \lim_{n \to \infty} \ln \left(1 + \frac{r}{n} \right)^{n}

rt = \displaystyle \lim_{n \to \infty} t \ln \left(1 + \frac{r}{n} \right)^{n}

rt = \displaystyle \lim_{n \to \infty} \ln \left[ \left(1 + \frac{r}{n} \right)^{n} \right]^t

rt = \displaystyle \lim_{n \to \infty} \ln \left(1 + \frac{r}{n} \right)^{nt}

Since g(x) = \ln x is continuous, we can interchange the function and the limit on the right-hand side:

rt = \displaystyle \ln \left[ \lim_{n \to \infty} \left(1 + \frac{r}{n} \right)^{nt} \right]

e^{rt} = \displaystyle \lim_{n \to \infty} \left(1 + \frac{r}{n} \right)^{nt}

Finally, we multiply both sides by P:

P e^{rt} = \displaystyle \lim_{n \to \infty} P \left(1 + \frac{r}{n} \right)^{nt}

(A second proof of this theorem, using L’Hopital’s Rule, will be presented in tomorrow’s post.)

This firmly established, at last, the connection between the continuous compound interest formula and the area under the hyperbola. I’ve noted that my students feel a certain sense of accomplishment after reaching this point of the exposition.

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Published by John Quintanilla

I'm a Professor of Mathematics and a University Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of North Texas. For eight years, I was co-director of Teach North Texas, UNT's program for preparing secondary teachers of mathematics and science.

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One thought on “Different definitions of e (Part 9): Connecting the two definitions”

  1. Pingback: Different definitions of e: Index | Mean Green Math

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