Scribd
Upload
301 views1 page

Understanding e^-π = -1 Explained

e^-π = -1 because of properties of complex numbers and Euler's formula. Euler's formula states that e^(ix) = cos(x) + i sin(x) for any real number x. Plugging x = -π into the formula gives e^(-πi) = cos(-π) + i sin(-π) = -1 + 0i. Since a complex number can be written as a + bi, setting the real and imaginary parts of e^(-πi) and -1 + 0i equal gives a = -1 and b = 0. Therefore, e^(-πi) = -1 + 0i = -1, showing that e^-π = -1

Uploaded by

Renan Castillo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
301 views1 page

Understanding e^-π = -1 Explained

e^-π = -1 because of properties of complex numbers and Euler's formula. Euler's formula states that e^(ix) = cos(x) + i sin(x) for any real number x. Plugging x = -π into the formula gives e^(-πi) = cos(-π) + i sin(-π) = -1 + 0i. Since a complex number can be written as a + bi, setting the real and imaginary parts of e^(-πi) and -1 + 0i equal gives a = -1 and b = 0. Therefore, e^(-πi) = -1 + 0i = -1, showing that e^-π = -1

Uploaded by

Renan Castillo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Why e^-Pi = -1

The equation e^-π = -1 is a famous mathematical result that relates three important
mathematical constants: e (Euler's number), π (pi), and -1 (the additive inverse of the
number one).

To understand why e^-π = -1, we need to use the complex number system, which
includes real numbers and imaginary numbers.

In the complex number system, an imaginary number is defined as the square root of a
negative number. For example, the imaginary unit i is defined as the square root of -1.

Now, we can use Euler's formula, which states that e^(ix) = cos(x) + i sin(x), where i is
the imaginary unit and x is any real number.

If we let x = -π, we get:

e^(-πi) = cos(-π) + i sin(-π)

We know that cos(-π) = -1 and sin(-π) = 0, so we can simplify the equation:

e^(-πi) = -1 + 0i

Now, we can use the fact that e^(-πi) is a complex number, which means it can be
written in the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers.

If we equate the real parts and imaginary parts of e^(-πi) and -1 + 0i, we get:

a = -1 and b = 0

Therefore, e^(-πi) = -1 + 0i = -1

In conclusion, e^-π = -1 because of Euler's formula and the properties of complex


numbers. The result has important implications in various branches of mathematics,
including trigonometry, calculus, and number theory.

You might also like