Algebraic Versus Transcendental Objects

Introduction References & Edit History

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Catenary and exponential functionsAny nonelastic, uniform cable held at its ends will droop in the shape of a catenary. As shown here, the catenary is asymptotic in the negative and positive directions to graphs of, respectively, exponential decay (y = e−x/2) and exponential growth (y = ex/2).

Algebraic Versus Transcendental Objects: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

John Colin Stillwell

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Type	Description	Contributor	Date
	"Algebraic Versus Transcendental Objects" section revised and updated.	The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica	Dec 14, 2007
	New article added.	The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica	Aug 05, 2005