e^π sits tantalizingly close to 23 but misses by 0.14. The coincidence e^π - π ≈ 19.999 is even closer but equally meaningless.
Table showing examples of numbers proved transcendental by Gelfond-Schneider
| Ausdruck | a | b | Ergebnis |
|---|---|---|---|
| e^π = (-1)^(-i) | -1 | -i | transzendent |
| 2^√2 (Hilbert) | 2 | √2 | transzendent |
| √2^√2 | √2 | √2 | transzendent |
e^π > π^e. This can be proved without a calculator: the function x^(1/x) has a maximum at x=e, so e^(1/e) > π^(1/π), which gives e^π > π^e.