The Gamma Function

The gamma function is a generalization of the factorial function for any positive integer n:
( n)  ( n  1)!
For example, (6)  (5)! 120

Gamma is defined by the improper integral



e
t
 ( n)  t n 1 dt
0

Integration by parts readily reveals that

 ( n)  ( n  1)( n  1) .
We may write the previous result as
( x  1)  x( x)
where x is any real number.

Let’s consider the following case:


1 1 1
For x = ½:     e t t 2 dt
2 0

1 1 1  12
  e t t 2
dt (Let u  t 2
, then du  t dt )
0
2

 2 e u du
2

 

(The value of the previous integral requires multivariable calculus.)

We may use this value to evaluate the following values of gamma:

3 1 1 
     
2 2 2 2

5 3 3 3 
     
 2 2 2 4

 7  5  5  15 
      .
 2 2 2 8