Why Is the Natural Logarithm e Called “Natural”?

Why Is the Natural Logarithm e Called “Natural”?
Mandarin

Instructors

Rongxiu Huang, Math Teacher
Verakin High School of Chongqing, China
黄荣秀, 数学老师,
中国重庆第二外国语学校   

Introduction

This lesson is about natural logarithm e. The lesson introduces the concept of e and some applications of e in real life, such as the marriage selection problem. The objective of this lesson is to understand that e is natural. Through this class, students should be able to learn how to calculate compound interest and how to apply the probabilistic method to obtain the optimal solution in the marriage problem or similar problems. As a prerequisite to this lesson, students need some basic knowledge of power calculation, interest calculation, classical probability and calculus. This lesson takes about 50 minutes. The class activities include compound interest calculation and a card playing game, etc. Students only need some paper, pens and calculators for the class activities.

这是一堂关于与自然对数的底数e的课,这堂课向大家展示了e的产生的实际背景和与婚姻有关e的实际应用。本节课的目标是了解e是自然的。希望能通过这堂课, 大家学会复利的计算方法,并且能够了解如何在婚姻问题或者招聘中应用概率方法取得最优解的方法。上这节课之前,学生需要一些幂运算、利息计算、古典概率的基本知识和一定的微积分相关知识。这节课大概需要50分钟可以完成所有的活动和视频观看。学生活动包含如解复利计算的应用题,还有翻纸片猜数字的游戏。活动材料需要一些纸片、计算器、草稿本、和笔。

Instructor Biography

Rongxiu Huang liked Math in middle school so she chose Math as her college major. She has taught high school math for eight years and has loved teaching very much. She is interested in studying teaching theories, especially new pedagogies. She is pleased to present her BLOSSOMS lesson to you, which is fun, encourages self-directed learning and enriches the learning experience.

我中学时代特别喜欢数学,上大学学的是数学,从事高中数学教学8年,非常热爱自己的教育教学工作。对教学理论尤其是新的教学法很感兴趣,非常荣幸能够为大家呈现一堂强调自主学习,重视学生学习感受、学习内容有趣的BLOSSOMS课

Additional Online Resources

Demystifying the Natural Logarithm (ln)
This is a clear explanation on the topic presented by Better Explained: Learn Right, not Rote.

Natural Logarithm
This is a Wikipedia entry on the topic of Natural Logarithms.

Introduction to Natural and Common Logarithms
This is a short tutorial on Natural and Common Logarithms presented by the Monterrey Institute.

The Secretary Problem
This is a Wikipedia entry on the topic that demonstrates a scenario involving optimal stopping theory

When to Stop Dating and Settle Down, according to Math
This article from the Washington Post clearly explains how the Secreatry Problem works.

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