Question

What does "e" stand for in math? What's it used for?

My answer: exponential-function base is the transcendental number e , which is equal to approximately 2.71828

Answer 1

but what is it used for?? and what does "e" stand for?

Answer 2

it is used to compute continuously compounded interest
it is used for imaginary numbers
it is used in representing signals (e.g. radio waves or sound waves)

Answer 3

what does it stand for?

Answer 4

There are many mathematical definitions of e
\[\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} (1+\frac{1}{n})^n\]
\[e^{i\theta}=\cos(x)+i\sin(x)\]
\[e^{i\theta}+1=0\]
\[\frac{d}{dx}e^x=e^x\]
\[\int e^xdx=x^x +c\]

But one relation to rule them, one relation to find them all...
\[e^x=1+x+\frac{1}{2!}x^2+\frac{1}{3!}x^3+\frac{1}{4!}x^4+...\]
OR
\[e^x=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{x^k}{k!}\]

It is possible to prove the all previous statements when we define e^x as above.

Answer 5

huh?!!!!!!!! thats so confusing

Answer 6

Which part is confusing?

Answer 7

And why?

Answer 8

Take a look here for more explanation:
http://betterexplained.com/articles/an-intuitive-guide-to-exponential-functions-e/
betterexplained.com/articles/intuitive-understanding-of-eulers-formula/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_%28mathematical_constant%29


And knowing the Taylor series is a good idea too.