As stated above, the ratio is e/((n+1)/n)^n
Let's focus on the log of the ratio. This is 1 - n ln(1 + 1/n))
Next is the key step. Rather than approximating ln(1 + 1/n) with 1/n, approximate it with 1/n - 1/2n^2
Then, 1 - n ln(1 + 1/n)) is approximately 1 - n(1/n - 1/2n^2) = 1/2n, not 0
Note that the sum of logs equals the log of the product of the ratios and may be approximated by an integral.
Of course, the integral of 1/2n from a to b is 1/2 ln(b) - 1/2 ln(a) = 1/2 ln(b/a)
Thus, the ratio of the product at the b'th term to the a'th term is e^(1/2 ln(b/a)) = sqrt(b/a)
This term goes to infinity as b goes to infinity, so the ratio diverges.
To show this approximation is reasonable, at 100, our term is 25.08717995, and at 1000, our term is 79.27315177.
The ratio is 3.15990685.
sqrt(1000/100) = sqrt(10) = 3.16227766, which is close.
Pia R.
07/23/16