The six exponentials theorem states that if are complex numbers linearly independent over , and are also linearly independent over , then at least one of the six numbersis a transcendental number. It does not require the inputs themselves to be algebraic. Both independence hypotheses are essential.[ref]
Linear Independence of Logarithms of Algebraic Numbers by Michel Waldschmidt. Chapter1, Theorem1.7
For an application, suppose a real makes all algebraic. If were irrational, choose and . The logarithms are rationally independent: clearing denominators and exponentiating would otherwise give a nontrivial integer relation , contradicting unique prime factorization. All six outputs would be algebraic, a contradiction. Hence must be rational.
With only two independent , the analogous assertion is the four exponentials conjecture, not this theorem.
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The Six Exponentials Theorem is a result in complex analysis and differential equations that deals with the solutions of certain classes of linear differential equations. It establishes conditions under which specific linear combinations of exponential functions can represent the solutions to these equations.