4 ms·

I'm feeling a bit ignorant. Any math guys want to elaborate on the relevance of the result?

• serf 12y ago
  that's (the/a) equation for finding an approximation of e, a constant in mathematics. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_(mathematical_constant) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_(mathematical_constant)
  • mijoharas 12y ago
    Hang on, I'd reword that as "that equation happens to result in an approximation of e". The way you've put it sounds like if mathematicians are trying to figure out e they are applying this equation (I'm of course giving assuming this is unintentional and the result of commenting quickly).
• praptak 12y ago
  It's a mathematical equivalent of Virgin Mary on a toast. Two expressions not related by any close theory yield almost the same result.
• ColinWright 12y ago
  What is there about my comment[0] that you feel is lacking? I'd be happy to elaborate further, but I'm not sure what you think I've missed out. [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7892425 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7892425
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• scoot 12y ago
  This is the missing link: http://mathworld.wolfram.com/e.html http://mathworld.wolfram.com/e.html (Compare the result of the expression to the value of the mathematical constant e. They coincide approximately [1]. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_coincidence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_coincidence