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Challenge: Exponential Function Approximation 1

The document discusses approximating exponential functions for use in computer programs. Exponential functions are important in mathematics, physics, and engineering, but computers can only perform simple operations like sums, multiplications, and divisions. The document presents a formula that approximates the value of e to within 9 decimals using only these simple operations by summing terms of x raised to integer powers divided by the corresponding factorials. It challenges the reader to 1) build a program to calculate this approximation of ex for given x and n, and 2) determine the appropriate value of n to approximate e1 to within 9 decimals.

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Leo Xeel
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35 views2 pages

Challenge: Exponential Function Approximation 1

The document discusses approximating exponential functions for use in computer programs. Exponential functions are important in mathematics, physics, and engineering, but computers can only perform simple operations like sums, multiplications, and divisions. The document presents a formula that approximates the value of e to within 9 decimals using only these simple operations by summing terms of x raised to integer powers divided by the corresponding factorials. It challenges the reader to 1) build a program to calculate this approximation of ex for given x and n, and 2) determine the appropriate value of n to approximate e1 to within 9 decimals.

Uploaded by

Leo Xeel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Challenge: Exponential function

approximation
Exponential functions are of great importance in mathematics, physics and engineering.
One of the most important functions is ex . It has the very important property that it is
the only function that its derivative is the same as itself.
d(e x )
ex = dx
So any process where the rate of change of a quantity is proportional to the quantity
itself will be described by exponential functions. Finance, population growth, oscillators
all have these characteristics.
When we want to model these processes in a computer we have a problem. e is
irrational and that means that we have to calculate approximate values. Specially our
digital computers only know how to solve simple operations... so how can we calculate
the value of complex equations?
The answer is to simplify the functions into operations a computer can manage without
any problem. sums, multiplications and divisions are simple enough.
Let’s use the following formula to estimate the value of e up to 9 decimals only using
multiplications and sums.

∞
xn x x2 x3
e =∑
x
=1+ + + + ...
n! 1 1∗2 1∗2∗3
n=0

As you can see x is only raised to integer powers (i.e. multiplications) and n! stands for
factorial, which is the integer multiplication up to n (note that 0! and 1! is equal to 1).

1. Build a program that given x and n would approximate ex using the identity above.
That is only using sums, multiplications and divisions (exponentials are not allowed
by definition). You can use any programing language you like (it could be excel if
you want).

2. What should be the value of n in order to approximate e1 up to 9 decimals?

Challenge: Exponential function approximation 1


Please send your answers through email or a private repository to the github account of
the mentor. Be mindful of sending the code well commented so that it will be easy to
understand and test the program.

Challenge: Exponential function approximation 2

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