π \pi is everywhere!

Calculus Level 4

lim n ( 2 n 1 ) ! ! ( 2 n ) ! ! n \large \lim_{n\to \infty} \dfrac{ (2n-1)!!}{(2n)!!} \sqrt n

Given that the limit above is equal to π A / B \pi^{-A /B} , where A A and B B are coprime positive integers, find A + B A+B .


The answer is 3.

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1 solution

Ariel Gershon
Feb 23, 2016

Double factorials can be defined as follows in terms of regular factorials:

( 2 n 1 ) ! ! = ( 2 n ) ! 2 n ( n ! ) (2n-1)!! = \frac{(2n)!}{2^n(n!)} ( 2 n ) ! ! = 2 n ( n ! ) (2n)!! = 2^n(n!)

Therefore, the limit simplifies to: lim n ( 2 n ) ! n ( n ! ) 2 2 2 n \lim_{n\to\infty} \frac{(2n)!\sqrt{n}}{(n!)^2 2^{2n}}

Now apply Stirling's Approximation: lim n ( 2 n ) ! n ( n ! ) 2 2 2 n = lim n ( 2 n ) 2 n e 2 n 4 π n ( n n e n 2 π n ) 2 2 2 n n = 1 π = π 1 / 2 \lim_{n\to\infty} \frac{(2n)!\sqrt{n}}{(n!)^2 2^{2n}} = \lim_{n\to\infty} \frac{(2n)^{2n}e^{-2n}\sqrt{4\pi n}}{(n^n e^{-n}\sqrt{2\pi n})^2 2^{2n}} \sqrt{n} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\pi}} = \pi^{-1/2} Therefore the answer is 1 + 2 = 3 . 1 + 2 = \boxed{3}.

nice solution! Stirling's approximation comes handy in these types of limits :)

Hamza A - 5 years, 3 months ago

There's another method: Wallis product.

Pi Han Goh - 5 years, 3 months ago

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you can use that too :)

Hamza A - 5 years, 3 months ago

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Why don't you post a solution as well? ;)

Pi Han Goh - 5 years, 3 months ago

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@Pi Han Goh i'm in school now,i'll post one once i get back :)and i still remember to post how i got a series representing π 2 \pi^2 ;) @Ariel Gershon

Hamza A - 5 years, 3 months ago

I'm not sure how you would use that here, since there's a factor of n \sqrt{n} in the limit...

Ariel Gershon - 5 years, 3 months ago

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Try squaring this very limit first and compare it with the Wallis product.

Pi Han Goh - 5 years, 3 months ago

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@Pi Han Goh Ok I get it now :)

Ariel Gershon - 5 years, 3 months ago

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