Why is Euler's identity considered so miraculous and beautiful?

515 Views Asked by At

For example, I could write this: $$(e+i\pi)^0=1$$ It has all the five constants and all the addition, multiplication, and exponentiation operators.

3

There are 3 best solutions below

0
On BEST ANSWER

In your identity we can substitute the constants $e,i,\pi$ with any other number, because it is a proposition always true as a consequence of the axioms that define the operations ($x^0=1 \quad \forall x$).

The Euler identity is true only for the given numbers and expresses a property of these numbers.

2
On

Your equation only tells you $x^0 = 1$ which is not especially interesting. The equation $e^{i \pi}+1=0$ could be considered neither trivial nor artificial and for the reasons you mention is considered, by some, to be beautiful. Beauty is of course subjective.

As a side note $e$ is not Euler's constant. See here

Edit: my side note was motivated by the original un-edited question having the tag 'eulers-constant'

0
On

It has all the five constants and all the addition, multiplication, and exponentiation operators.

Indeed it does ! Unfortunately, it is not particularly meaningful, as has already been pointed out. But why are Euler's identity and formula considered meaningful in the first place ?, you might legitimately ask me in return. To which I would like to respond by referring you to the following
seven posts: