Gamma Function
Calculate ฮ(x) and ln(ฮ(x)) for real numbers. For positive integers, ฮ(n) = (n-1)!. Uses Lanczos approximation.
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How: Enter x (real number), Decimal Places to calculate results.
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Gamma Function ฮ(x)
Compute ฮ(x) and ln(ฮ(x)). For positive integers, ฮ(n) = (n-1)!. Lanczos approximation for general reals.
๐ Quick Examples โ Click to Load
Inputs
ฮ(x) is undefined for x = 0, -1, -2, ...
ฮ(x) for x โ (0, 5]
๐ Calculation Steps
For educational and informational purposes only. Verify with a qualified professional.
๐ Key Takeaways
- โข ฮ(n) = (n-1)! for positive integers; extends factorial to real/complex numbers
- โข ฮ(1/2) = โฯ; ฮ(1) = ฮ(2) = 1
- โข ฮ(z) has poles at z = 0, -1, -2, ... (undefined)
- โข Used in probability (gamma, beta, chi-squared), combinatorics, analysis
๐ก Did You Know?
๐ Infographic Stats
๐ How It Works
For Re(z) > 0, ฮ(z) = โซโ^โ t^(z-1) e^(-t) dt. For positive integers, ฮ(n) = (n-1)!. For other real z, we use the Lanczos approximation: a series that converges quickly and is accurate to many decimal places.
ฮ(z+1) = zยทฮ(z) (recurrence)
ฮ(z)ยทฮ(1-z) = ฯ / sin(ฯz) (reflection)
๐ฏ Expert Tips
Use ln(ฮ) for large x
ฮ(x) grows very fast. ln(ฮ(x)) avoids overflow in probability computations.
Negative arguments
Use reflection: ฮ(-z) = ฯ/(sin(ฯz)ยทฮ(1+z)). Undefined at 0, -1, -2, ...
๐ Comparison Table
| x | ฮ(x) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 4 | 6 |
| 5 | 24 |
| 0.5 | โฯ โ 1.772 |
โ FAQ
Why is ฮ(n) = (n-1)! and not n!?
Historical convention. The recurrence ฮ(z+1) = zยทฮ(z) with ฮ(1)=1 gives ฮ(n)=1ยท2ยท...ยท(n-1)=(n-1)!.
Where is the gamma function used?
Probability (gamma, beta, chi-squared, Student t), combinatorics, number theory, physics, and many integrals.
What about ฮ(0) and negative integers?
ฮ has simple poles there โ undefined. The reflection formula gives finite values for other negative reals.
๐ Official Sources
โ ๏ธ Disclaimer: Results use Lanczos approximation. For very large or small x, numerical precision may vary. Not for critical applications without verification.
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