Continued Fraction Expansion of Euler's Number/Convergents

Theorem

The convergents of the continued fraction expansion to Euler's number $e$ are:

$2, 3, \dfrac 8 3, \dfrac {11} 4, \dfrac {19} 7, \dfrac {87} {32}, \dfrac {106} {39}, \dfrac {193} {71}, \dfrac {1264} {465}, \dfrac {1457} {536}, \dfrac {2721} {1001}, \ldots$

The numerators form sequence A007676 in the On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences (N. J. A. Sloane (Ed.), 2008).

The denominators form sequence A007677 in the On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences (N. J. A. Sloane (Ed.), 2008).


These best rational approximations are accurate to $0, 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, \ldots$ decimals.

This sequence is A114539 in the On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences (N. J. A. Sloane (Ed.), 2008).


The fraction $\dfrac {878} {323}$ is exceptionally easy to remember:

$\dfrac {878} {323} = 2 \cdotp 71826 \, 625 \ldots$

although this does not occur in the above continued fraction expansion.


Proof


This theorem requires a proof.
In particular: Calculation needed
You can help $\mathsf{Pr} \infty \mathsf{fWiki}$ by crafting such a proof.
To discuss this page in more detail, feel free to use the talk page.
When this work has been completed, you may remove this instance of {{ProofWanted}} from the code.
If you would welcome a second opinion as to whether your work is correct, add a call to {{Proofread}} the page.



Sources

  • 1986: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers ... (previous) ... (next): $2 \cdotp 718 \, 281 \, 828 \, 459 \, 045 \, 235 \, 360 \, 287 \, 471 \, 352 \, 662 \, 497 \, 757 \, 247 \, 093 \, 699 \ldots$
  • 1997: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $2 \cdotp 71828 \, 18284 \, 59045 \, 23536 \, 02874 \, 71352 \, 66249 \, 77572 \, 47093 \, 69995 \ldots$