Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2006
Keywords
Lambert W function
Abstract
We show that there is a link between a standard calculus problem of finding the best view of a painting and special tangent lines to the graphs of exponential functions. Surprisingly, the exponential function with the "best view" is not the one with the base e. A similar link is established for families of functions obtained by composing exponential functions with a fixed linear function. The key tool in the proof is the Lambert W function.
Publication Title
The College Mathematics Journal
Volume
37
Issue
5
First Page
344
Last Page
354
Required Publisher's Statement
Copyright by the Mathematical Association of America.
http://www.maa.org/publications/periodicals/college-mathematics-journal/college-mathematics-journal-contents-novembe-2006
This is the author's version of the paper.
Recommended Citation
Ćurgus, Branko, "An Exceptional Exponential Function" (2006). Mathematics Faculty Publications. 69.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/math_facpubs/69
Subjects - Topical (LCSH)
Exponential functions; Art appreciation--Mathematical models
Genre/Form
articles
Type
Text
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
