The Number e (ARC)

Michael Fulkerson, University of Central Oklahoma
Kristi Karber, University of Central Oklahoma
Ashley Tomson, Rose State College

This lesson serves as an introduction to the number e and the application of continuously compounded interest. Students begin by exploring the expression $\left(1+\frac{1}{n}\right)^n$ for large values of n, and they discover that the expression approaches a number (2.71828…) as n approaches infinity. For college algebra students, this also serves as an introduction to the idea of a “limit.” Students then explore the relationship between compound interest and continuously compounded interest.

Lesson Plan

Activity

Activity Solutions

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