EULERS NUMBER|GOLDEN RATIO
MAT 141
Dwight Jr Gibbs
Tamcc Ms.Dottin
Euler's Number (e)
1. Symbol: e
2. Approximate Value: 2.71828
3. A Short History:
The concept of Euler's number e can be traced back to the 17th century when Jacob Bernoulli was
studying compound interest. He noticed that as the number of compounding periods increased infinitely,
the final amount approached a constant value. This constant became known as e. However, it was
Leonhard Euler in the 18th century who extensively studied and formalized the properties of e,
establishing its fundamental role in mathematics. He showed that e is the base of the natural logarithm
and has numerous applications in calculus, differential equations, and other areas of mathematics.
4. One Application in Mathematics:
One of the most significant applications of e in mathematics is in calculus. The derivative of the function
e^x is itself, e^x. This property makes e^x a unique function and is essential in solving differential
equations, modeling exponential growth and decay, and understanding various mathematical concepts.
5. One Application in Another Discipline:
In finance, e is used in the formula for calculating continuously compounded interest. When interest is
compounded continuously, the formula to calculate the final amount involves e: A = Pe^(rt), where A is
the final amount, P is the principal, r is the interest rate, and t is the time. This formula is widely used in
financial calculations, such as determining the future value of investments or loans.
References:
Maor, E. (1994). e: The story of a number. Princeton University Press.
Weisstein, E. W. (2023). "Euler's Number." MathWorld—A Wolfram Web Resource.
https://mathworld.wolfram.com/
Golden Ratio (ϕ)
1. Symbol: ϕ
2. Approximate Value: 1.61803
3. A Short History:
The golden ratio, also known as the divine proportion, has been studied for centuries. Its origins can be
traced back to ancient Greek mathematicians like Euclid, who explored its geometric properties. The
golden ratio is defined as the ratio of the longer part to the shorter part of a line segment that has been
divided in such a way that the ratio of the whole segment to the longer part is equal to the ratio of the
longer part to the shorter part. Renaissance artists and architects, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Le
Corbusier, also embraced the golden ratio for its perceived aesthetic appeal and used it in their works.
4. One Application in Mathematics:
In mathematics, the golden ratio appears in various geometric constructions, such as the regular
pentagon and the golden rectangle. The golden rectangle is a rectangle whose sides are in the ratio of
the golden ratio. It is often considered to be aesthetically pleasing and has been used in architecture, art,
and design.
5. One Application in Another Discipline:
The golden ratio has been widely used in art and architecture for centuries. Many artists and architects
believed that incorporating the golden ratio into their designs would create more visually appealing and
harmonious compositions. The Parthenon in Athens, Greece, and the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
are examples of works that are believed to incorporate the golden ratio.
References:
Livio, M. (2002). The golden ratio: The story of the most beautiful number in the world. Broadway
Books.
Weisstein, E. W. (2023). "Golden Ratio." MathWorld—A Wolfram Web Resource
. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/GoldenRatio.html
