# Question about Exponential Series Definition and Convergence

I've seen in many textbooks that the following is just a definition: $$e^x = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{x^{n}}{n!}$$

And then many textbooks just go ahead to prove the absolute convergence of the infinite series using, for example, ratio test, to conclude that the infinite sum actually makes sense. But even if the infinite series is absolutely convergent, how do I know the series does converge to $$e^x$$ instead of some other functions? The series convergence tests never mention about the limit that the series converges to. How do people come up with such a definition at the first place?

• If they're using it as a definition, then they're defining the function $e^x$ to be this series. – Dave Feb 2 at 20:04

To see that your equation is true, you could take the derivative of the right side and see that you get the same thing. This shows that the sum is a solution to the differential equation

$$y'=y.$$

You can the check that plugging in $$x=0$$ on both sides yields the same number, so that you know the left and right sides both solve the initial value problem

$$y' = y, y(0) =1.$$

Since solutions to linear IVP's are unique, you know the left side equals the right side.

And note that there are different ways to define $$e^x.$$ If you use one of the other ways, then it's not too hard to show that it's Maclauren series is your sum.

• Hi Goddard, is this logic correct: the infinite sum is actually the Maclauren series which is Taylor series at 0, of the exponential function, so based on the theory of taylor series, if the series does converge, it must converge to the exponential function, which is justified by showing the series is absolutely convergent everywhere. Thanks a lot. – xf16 Feb 2 at 20:19
• Yeah, I guess that works. But without stating which definition of $e^x$ you're using, it seems a bit...um...disconnected. – B. Goddard Feb 2 at 21:06

Once you know that the series is absolutely convergent you can deduce from it all the characteristics that define the $$e^x$$ function, for instance you can take derivative: $$\frac{d}{dx}\sum_{i=0}^\infty\frac{x^n}{n!}= \sum_{i=0}^\infty\frac{x^n}{n!}$$ showing you that $$(e^x)'=e^x$$.

More interestingly you can use this definition to extend exponential to any square matrix $$X$$. The series is always absolutely convergent. Obviously you have $$XX^k=X^kX$$, therefore, from the series definition you can see that: $$Xe^X=e^XX$$ With a little more work you can also see that: $$e^{(A+B)}=e^Ae^B$$ if $$A$$ and $$B$$ commutes: $$AB=BA$$.

Hint: Use Taylor's theorem and $$(e^x)'=e^x$$.