Intuitively I think this statement is true, but I am unable to proof it. Can someone help me? If possible, I would like bound $\vert(1-\frac{1}{n})^n - \frac{1}{\mathrm{e}}\vert$ (or even $\vert{(1+\frac{1}{n})^n - \mathrm{e}}\vert$) because I think this is a good think to know in general.
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2Actually the limit is $-\dfrac{1}{2e}$ – Enrico M. Jan 31 '21 at 13:47
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Oh. Ok, bad intuition then. But it doesn't matter, because I actually want to show, that this sequence is bounded – kerf Jan 31 '21 at 13:50
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Edit: Isn't this sequence positive for every n? How can the limit then be negative? – kerf Jan 31 '21 at 13:56
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2If you try with $n = 1$ simply, you'll realise it's $-\frac{1}{e}$, and so on for every $n > 0$ – Enrico M. Jan 31 '21 at 13:59
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I should take a break. – kerf Jan 31 '21 at 14:00
2 Answers
$$\left(1-\frac{1}{n}\right)^n\sim \frac{1}{e}-\frac{1}{2 e n};\;n\to\infty$$ $$\lim_{n \to \infty}n\left(\left(1-\frac{1}{n}\right)^n - \frac{1}{e}\right) = \lim_{n \to \infty}n\left(\left(\frac{1}{e}-\frac{1}{2 e n}-\frac{1}{e}\right)\right)=$$ $$=-\frac{1}{2e}$$
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where did the asymptotic $\left(1-\frac1n\right)^n\sim\frac1e-\frac1{2en}$ come from? – robjohn Jul 14 '21 at 21:29
By the Binomial Theorem, we have
$$
\begin{align}
\left(1-\frac1{2n}\right)^{2n}-\left(1-\frac1n\right)^n
&=\left(1-\frac1n+\frac1{4n^2}\right)^n-\left(1-\frac1n\right)^n\tag{1a}\\
&=n\left(1-\frac1n\right)^{n-1}\frac1{4n^2}+O\left(\frac1{n^2}\right)\tag{1b}\\
&=\frac1{4ne}+O\left(\frac1{n^2}\right)\tag{1c}
\end{align}
$$
Explanation:
$\text{(1a)}$: expand $\left(1-\frac1{2n}\right)^2$
$\text{(1b)}$: use the first term and remainder from the Binomial Theorem
$\text{(1c)}$: as shown in this answer, $\left(1-\frac1n\right)^{n-1}$ is decreasing and $\left(1-\frac1n\right)^n$ is increasing,
$\phantom{\text{(1c):}}$ so $\left(1-\frac1n\right)^{n-1}=\frac1e+O\!\left(\frac1n\right)$
Repeating $(1)$ for $2^kn$ and summing gives a telescoping series that yields $$ \frac1e-\left(1-\frac1n\right)^n=\frac1{2ne}+O\left(\frac1{n^2}\right)\tag2 $$ Applying $(2)$ to the limit yields $$ \lim_{n\to\infty}n\left(\left(1-\frac1n\right)^n-\frac1e\right)=-\frac1{2e}\tag3 $$

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Thanks! I enjoy a problem which gives me an opportunity to create a new answer. I have seen this proven so many times using the Taylor series for $\log(1+x)$ that I felt it needed an approach with fewer prerequisites. – robjohn Jul 19 '21 at 23:38