# Euler's Number: Limit of Sequence implies Base of Logarithm

## Theorem

Let $e$ be Euler's number defined by:

$\displaystyle e := \lim_{n \mathop \to \infty} \left({1 + \frac 1 n}\right) ^n$

Then $e$ is the unique solution to the equation $\ln \left({x}\right) = 1$.

That is:

$\ln \left({x}\right) = 1 \iff x = e$

## Proof

First we prove that $e$ is a solution to $\ln \left({x}\right) = 1$:

 $\ds \ln \left({e}\right)$ $=$ $\ds \ln \left({\lim_{n \mathop \to \infty} \left({1 + \frac 1 n}\right)^n}\right)$ Definition:Euler's Number/Limit of Sequence $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \lim_{n \mathop \to \infty} \left({\ln \left({1 + \frac 1 n}\right)^n}\right)$ Sequential Continuity is Equivalent to Continuity in Metric Space $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \lim_{n \mathop \to \infty} \left({n \ln \left({1 + \frac 1 n}\right)}\right)$ Logarithm of Power $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \lim_{n \mathop \to \infty} \frac {\ln \left({1 + \frac 1 n}\right)} {1 / n}$ Inverse of Group Inverse $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \lim_{x \mathop \to \infty} \frac {\ln \left({1 + \frac 1 n}\right)} {1 / x}$ Limit of Sequence is Limit of Real Function $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \lim_{x \mathop \to \infty} \frac{\left({-\frac 1 {x^2} }\right) \left({1 + \frac 1 x}\right)} {-\frac 1 {x^2} }$ L'Hôpital's Rule $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \lim_{x \mathop \to \infty} \frac x {x + 1}$ $\ds$ $=$ $\ds 1$

From Logarithm is Strictly Increasing, $\ln$ is strictly monotone.

By Strictly Monotone Mapping with Totally Ordered Domain is Injective it follows that $\ln$ is an injection.

So the solution to $\ln \left({x}\right) = 1$ is unique.

Hence the result.

$\blacksquare$