Final answer:
The natural logarithm (ln x) and the exponential function (e^x) are inverse functions, meaning they reverse each other's operations. This is captured by the equations ln(e^x) = x and e^(ln x) = x. This inverse relationship is fundamental in calculations involving growth, decay, and logarithmic properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
In mathematics, the functions ln x and e^x are closely related as they are inverse functions. This means that they effectively 'undo' each other. This inverse relationship can be demonstrated through the equations ln(e^x) = x and e^(ln x) = x. This property is particularly useful when dealing with growth and decay problems where the base of the natural logarithm, e, appears frequently.
To understand the concept further, consider e as a constant approximately equal to 2.71828. When you take the natural logarithm (ln) of a number, you're asking 'To what power do I need to raise e to get this number?' Conversely, e raised to the power of a number corresponds to the exponential growth or decay with that as the rate or time constant, depending on the context. This interplay of ln and e is fundamental to operations involving exponential growth, decay, and the logarithmic properties of multiplication.