Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2010 / ia / Paper 4 / 2E / b / Solution

The exponential series at $1$ givesFor every positive integer $q$, multiply by the factorial $q!$ and separate the integer part:Every term in $R_q$ is positive. Each denominator is at least $(q+1{)}^j$, and the inequality is strict when $j\ge 2$. Comparison with the geometric series therefore givesIf $e=p/q$ with integers $p$ and $q\ge 1$, then $q!e=p(q-1)!$ would be an integer. Since $I_q$ is also an integer, $R_q$ would be an integer strictly between zero and one, which is impossible. HenceThis proves the irrationality of e by using its rapidly decreasing series tail.