Find the gamma function of 2 5 (up to 4 decimal places).
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Well known factorial function n ! is defined as n ! = 1 x 2 x 3 x ⋯ x n (Where n is a natural number)
But here the given parameter 1 . 5 which is not a natural number but a real number. Thus, this calculation involves interpolation of the factorial function that holds good for real numbers as well. For this, here we use the gamma function Γ ( x ) which is equal to ( x − 1 ) ! and is defined as -
Γ ( x ) = ∫ 0 ∞ e − t t − 1 + x d t
Hence Γ ( 2 . 5 ) gives us the value of 1 . 5 ! which is nothing but ∫ 0 ∞ e − t t 1 . 5 d t = 1 . 3 2 9 3 4
Note: The input of Γ ( x ) should be 1 + the number whose factorial is to be calculated as per the definition.
How did you calculate the integral ∫ 0 ∞ e − x x 1 . 5 ⋅ d x
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I am assuming you know the value if Γ ( 2 1 ) which is equal to π .
After that the problem becomes very trivial as we know that,
Γ ( x ) = ∫ 0 ∞ e − t t − 1 + x d t
Applying Integration by parts,
= [ − t 1 − x e − t ] 0 ∞ + ∫ 0 ∞ ( x − 1 ) e − t t − 2 + x d t
= ( x − 1 ) ∫ 0 ∞ e − t t − 2 + x d t
= ( x − 1 ) Γ ( x − 1 )
Now, if we put x = 2 5 ,
Γ ( 2 5 ) = 2 3 × Γ ( 2 3 )
= 2 3 × 2 1 × Γ ( 2 1 )
= 4 3 π
Now if you don't know that Γ ( 2 1 ) = π , we can prove it by the famous Euler's reflection formula which states that,
Γ ( z ) Γ ( 1 − z ) = sin π z π , where z ∈ C .
Thus, plugging in z = 2 1 , we get-
Γ ( 2 1 ) 2 = [ Γ ( 2 1 ) Γ ( 1 − 2 1 ) ] = ( sin 2 π π ) = π
And hence, Γ ( 2 1 ) = π
P.S. For more information regarding Gamma Function and its forms, click here
Cheers!
Use legendres duplication formula z ! ( z − 1 / 2 ) ! = √ π 2 ( − 2 z ) ( 2 z ) ! . P l u g z = 2
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We can use gamma function Γ ( x ) to solve the problem.
Γ ( x + 1 ) ⟹ ( 2 3 ) ! = x ! = Γ ( 2 5 ) As Γ ( x + 1 ) = x Γ ( x ) = 2 3 Γ ( 2 3 ) = 2 3 ⋅ 2 1 Γ ( 2 1 ) As Γ ( 2 1 ) = π = 2 3 ⋅ 2 1 π ≈ 1 . 3 2 9 3