Evaluate -1+ natural log of e^4

$- 1 + \ln (e^{4})$

Step 1

Simplify each term.

Use logarithm rules to move $4$ out of the exponent.

$- 1 + 4 \ln (e)$

The natural logarithm of $e$ is $1$ .

$- 1 + 4 \cdot 1$

Multiply $4$ by $1$ .

$- 1 + 4$

Step 2

Add $- 1$ and $4$ .

$3$