All about flooble | fun stuff | Get a free chatterbox | Free JavaScript | Avatars    
perplexus dot info

Home > Just Math
e and pi (Posted on 2003-09-26) Difficulty: 4 of 5
Without finding the numerical values, show which is greater, e^π or π^e.

See The Solution Submitted by DJ    
Rating: 4.1429 (14 votes)

Comments: ( Back to comment list | You must be logged in to post comments.)
Solution | Comment 2 of 7 |
Consider the value e^pi - pi^e. If positive, e^pi is greater, and if negative, pi^e is greater.

Consider the function f(x)=e^x-x^e

The function is defined on the interval [0,infinity) and is smooth along the interval (0,infinity). Since there are no singularities, the lowest value must occur at one of x=0, lim x to infinity, or at one of the local extrema.

f'(x) = e^x - e*x^(e-1)
f'(x) = 0 only if x=1 or x=e.

f(0) = 1, f(1) = e-1, f(e) = 0, and lim x to infinity of f(x) = infinity. The lowest of these values is f(e)=0, therefore for all x>0, the function is nonnegative. It follows e^pi-pi^e>0.

Therefore e^pi > pi^e.
Edited on September 26, 2003, 2:32 pm
  Posted by Brian Smith on 2003-09-26 14:30:43
Please log in:
Login:
Password:
Remember me:
Sign up! | Forgot password


Search:
Search body:
Forums (0)
Newest Problems
Random Problem
FAQ | About This Site
Site Statistics
New Comments (10)
Unsolved Problems
Top Rated Problems
This month's top
Most Commented On

Chatterbox:
Copyright © 2002 - 2024 by Animus Pactum Consulting. All rights reserved. Privacy Information