Which number is larger?

If $n$ is large enough, which is greater:

$(n+1) ^{n+1}$ or $(kn)^{n}$ where $k$ is a natural number?

I've plotted a graph which suggests that the second is larger, but surely the larger power should dominate in the end?

• Divide both by $n^n$. – Daniel Fischer Nov 11 '14 at 20:17
• Note that $(kn)^n=n^{n(log_n(k)+1)}$ so for $k>1$, $(kn)^n$ "has the larger power". – Solomonoff's Secret Nov 11 '14 at 20:53

dividing both sides by $n^{n+1}$ gives
$\left(1+{1\over n}\right)^{n+1}$ and ${k^n\over n}$
As $n\to\infty$ the first quantity converges to $e$, but the second goes off to infinity unless $k=1$, in which case it is already trivial that $(n+1)^{n+1}$ is the larger of the two.
Nevertheless, if you want to be more formal, you can use Newton's binomial expansion for the power $n + 1$, in which case you can compare the first one to $(kn)^n = k^n \times n^n \ldots$
• Look at the first two terms of the binomial expansion: $(n+1)^{n+1}=n^{n+1}+(n+1)n^n+$[additional positive terms]. How does this compare to $k^n n^n$? – Steve Kass Nov 12 '14 at 2:56