Exponential function: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:14, 9 June 2003

Revision as of 17:57, 11 June 2003

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[[fr:Exponentielle]]

The '''exponential function''' is one of the most important [[function|functions]] in [[mathematics]]. It is written as exp(''x'') or <math>e^x</math> (where ''e'' is the [[e - base of natural logarithm|base of the natural logarithm]]) and can be defined in two equivalent ways, the first an [[infinite series]], the second a [[limit]]:

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[[image:exp.png|The exponential function is flat for negative x's, and climbs quickly for positive x's.]]<br>

The graph of <font color=#b36633>e^x</font> does '''not''' ever<br> touch the x axis, although it<br> comes very close.

</div>

: <math>\exp(x) = \sum_{n = 0}^{\infty} {x^n \over n!}</math>