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# Which is Larger $e^\pi$ or $\pi^e$?

by

Susan Niefield
Union College

October 4, 2011
4:45 pm
Bailey Hall 207

Refreshments will be served in Bailey Hall 204 at 4:30

## Abstract:

Given positive real numbers $x < y$, which of the following holds: $x^y < y^x$, $x^y > y^x$, or $x^y=y^x$ ? It is easy to see that all three cases are possible. For example, $2 < 3$ and $2^3 < 3^2$, but $3 < 4$ and $3^4 > 4^3$. One can even get equality, e.g., $2^4 = 4^2$. Of course, $e < \pi$ and both are close to $3$. Does $\pi$ act like $3$ in the first inequality so that $e^\pi < \pi^e$ ? Does $e$ act like $3$ in the second inequality so that $e^\pi > \pi^e$ ? Or, do they both act like $3$, so that $e^\pi=\pi^e$?

In this talk, we will use a little calculus to determine the relationship between $x^y$ and $y^x$, for every pair of positive real numbers. As a consequence, we will see that $x^y=y^x$ holds for infinitely many pairs, but $2^4 = 4^2$ is the only case where both are integers.

For additional information, send e-mail to math@union.edu or call (518) 388-6246.
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