ยง Geometric proof of e^x >= 1+x
, e^(-x) >= 1-x
Let's concentrate on the e^x >= 1 + x
part.
- The tangent of
e^x
at x = 0
is 1 + x
, since the taylor series of e^x
truncated upto x
is 1 + x
. -
e^x
is a strongly convex function, since (e^x)'' = e^x
which is positive everywhere. Hence, e^x
will always lie above its tangent.
Similarly for e^(-x)
, working through the math:
-
1 -x
is tangent at x=0
to e^(-x)
-
(e^(-x))'' = -(e^(-x))' e^(-x)
which is again positive everywhere, and hence, e^(-x)
is strongly convex.