Wallis’ Formula and Other Infinite Products

Richard Belshoff
Missouri State University
MAA Student Chapter Talk

January 29, 2009

Wallis’ formula

π 2 2 4 4 6 6
= · · · · · · ···
2 1 3 3 5 5 7
Wallis’ formula

π 2 2 4 4 6 6
= · · · · · · ···
2 1 3 3 5 5 7
   
2 2 4 4 6 6 π
· · · ··· = .
1 3 3 5 5 7 2
Wallis’ formula

π 2 2 4 4 6 6
= · · · · · · ···
2 1 3 3 5 5 7
   
2 2 4 4 6 6 π
· · · ··· = .
1 3 3 5 5 7 2
Now pull out every other pair of terms.
Wallis’ formula

π 2 2 4 4 6 6
= · · · · · · ···
2 1 3 3 5 5 7
   
2 2 4 4 6 6 π
· · · ··· = .
1 3 3 5 5 7 2
Now pull out every other pair of terms.
   
2 2 6 6 10 10
· · · ··· =
1 3 5 7 9 11
Wallis’ formula

π 2 2 4 4 6 6
= · · · · · · ···
2 1 3 3 5 5 7
   
2 2 4 4 6 6 π
· · · ··· = .
1 3 3 5 5 7 2
Now pull out every other pair of terms.
√
   
2 2 6 6 10 10
· · · ··· = 2
1 3 5 7 9 11
Wallis’ formula

π 2 2 4 4 6 6
= · · · · · · ···
2 1 3 3 5 5 7
   
2 2 4 4 6 6 π
· · · ··· = .
1 3 3 5 5 7 2
Now pull out every other pair of terms.
√
   
2 2 6 6 10 10
· · · ··· = 2
1 3 5 7 9 11

AMAZING!
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
p1 = a1 ,
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
p1 = a1 , p2 = a1 a2 ,
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
p1 = a1 , p2 = a1 a2 , p3 = a1 a2 a3 ,
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
p1 = a1 , p2 = a1 a2 , p3 = a1 a2 a3 , . . . ,
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
p1 = a1 , p2 = a1 a2 , p3 = a1 a2 a3 , . . . , pn = a1 · · · an ,
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
p1 = a1 , p2 = a1 a2 , p3 = a1 a2 a3 , . . . , pn = a1 · · · an , . . . . . . .
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
p1 = a1 , p2 = a1 a2 , p3 = a1 a2 a3 , . . . , pn = a1 · · · an , . . . . . . .

If pn → M as n → ∞, i.e. if lim pn = M,
n→∞
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
p1 = a1 , p2 = a1 a2 , p3 = a1 a2 a3 , . . . , pn = a1 · · · an , . . . . . . .

If pn → M as n → ∞, i.e. if lim pn = M, then we say that

n→∞

a1 a2 a3 · · · =M.
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
p1 = a1 , p2 = a1 a2 , p3 = a1 a2 a3 , . . . , pn = a1 · · · an , . . . . . . .

If pn → M as n → ∞, i.e. if lim pn = M, then we say that

n→∞

a1 a2 a3 · · · =M.
Notation:
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
p1 = a1 , p2 = a1 a2 , p3 = a1 a2 a3 , . . . , pn = a1 · · · an , . . . . . . .

If pn → M as n → ∞, i.e. if lim pn = M, then we say that

n→∞

a1 a2 a3 · · · =M.
Notation:
∞
Y
ai = a1 a2 a3 · · ·
i=1
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
p1 = a1 , p2 = a1 a2 , p3 = a1 a2 a3 , . . . , pn = a1 · · · an , . . . . . . .

If pn → M as n → ∞, i.e. if lim pn = M, then we say that

n→∞

a1 a2 a3 · · · =M.
Notation:
∞
Y
ai = a1 a2 a3 · · ·
i=1
n
Y
ai = a1 a2 · · · an
i=1
What do we mean by an infinite product?
?
a1 a2 a3 · · · = M
Consider the sequence of “partial products”
p1 = a1 , p2 = a1 a2 , p3 = a1 a2 a3 , . . . , pn = a1 · · · an , . . . . . . .

If pn → M as n → ∞, i.e. if lim pn = M, then we say that

n→∞

a1 a2 a3 · · · =M.
Notation:
∞
Y
ai = a1 a2 a3 · · ·
i=1
n
Y
ai = a1 a2 · · · an
i=1
∞
Y n
Y
ai = lim ai
n→∞
i=1 i=1
The Factor Theorem

Theorem (Factor Theorem)

A real number r is a root of a polynomial p(x) if and only if
(x − r ) is a factor of p(x).
The Factor Theorem

Theorem (Factor Theorem)

A real number r is a root of a polynomial p(x) if and only if
(x − r ) is a factor of p(x).

Example
A polynomial with roots −2, −1, 0, 1, and 2 is
The Factor Theorem

Theorem (Factor Theorem)

A real number r is a root of a polynomial p(x) if and only if
(x − r ) is a factor of p(x).

Example
A polynomial with roots −2, −1, 0, 1, and 2 is

p(x) = (x + 2)(x + 1)x(x − 1)(x − 2)

The Factor Theorem

Theorem (Factor Theorem)

A real number r is a root of a polynomial p(x) if and only if
(x − r ) is a factor of p(x).

Example
A polynomial with roots −2, −1, 0, 1, and 2 is

p(x) = (x + 2)(x + 1)x(x − 1)(x − 2)

= x(x 2 − 1)(x 2 − 4).
The Factor Theorem

Theorem (Factor Theorem)

A real number r is a root of a polynomial p(x) if and only if
(x − r ) is a factor of p(x).

Example
A polynomial with roots −2, −1, 0, 1, and 2 is

p(x) = (x + 2)(x + 1)x(x − 1)(x − 2)

= x(x 2 − 1)(x 2 − 4).

But this is not unique

The Factor Theorem

Theorem (Factor Theorem)

A real number r is a root of a polynomial p(x) if and only if
(x − r ) is a factor of p(x).

Example
A polynomial with roots −2, −1, 0, 1, and 2 is

p(x) = (x + 2)(x + 1)x(x − 1)(x − 2)

= x(x 2 − 1)(x 2 − 4).

But this is not unique

p(x) = Cx(x 2 − 1)(x 2 − 4)

An infinite number of roots?

What about an infinite number of roots?

An infinite number of roots?

What about an infinite number of roots?

Could we construct an “infinite polynomial” with roots 0, ±1, ±2,
±3, . . .?
An infinite number of roots?

What about an infinite number of roots?

Could we construct an “infinite polynomial” with roots 0, ±1, ±2,
±3, . . .?
?
f (x) = Cx(x 2 − 1)(x 2 − 4)(x 2 − 9) · · ·
An infinite number of roots?

What about an infinite number of roots?

Could we construct an “infinite polynomial” with roots 0, ±1, ±2,
±3, . . .?
?
f (x) = Cx(x 2 − 1)(x 2 − 4)(x 2 − 9) · · ·
Better:
An infinite number of roots?

What about an infinite number of roots?

Could we construct an “infinite polynomial” with roots 0, ±1, ±2,
±3, . . .?
?
f (x) = Cx(x 2 − 1)(x 2 − 4)(x 2 − 9) · · ·
Better:
x2 x2
f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9
An infinite number of roots?

What about an infinite number of roots?

Could we construct an “infinite polynomial” with roots 0, ±1, ±2,
±3, . . .?
?
f (x) = Cx(x 2 − 1)(x 2 − 4)(x 2 − 9) · · ·
Better:
x2 x2
f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9
This infinite product converges for all values of x
An infinite number of roots?

What about an infinite number of roots?

Could we construct an “infinite polynomial” with roots 0, ±1, ±2,
±3, . . .?
?
f (x) = Cx(x 2 − 1)(x 2 − 4)(x 2 − 9) · · ·
Better:
x2 x2
f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9
This infinite product converges for all values of x
(Knopp, Theory of Functions, Part II, Dover, New York, 1947.)
An infinite number of roots?

What about an infinite number of roots?

Could we construct an “infinite polynomial” with roots 0, ±1, ±2,
±3, . . .?
?
f (x) = Cx(x 2 − 1)(x 2 − 4)(x 2 − 9) · · ·
Better:
x2 x2
f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9
This infinite product converges for all values of x
(Knopp, Theory of Functions, Part II, Dover, New York, 1947.)

There is a well-known function that behaves similarly, that is zero

at all the integers, namely, .....
An infinite number of roots?

What about an infinite number of roots?

Could we construct an “infinite polynomial” with roots 0, ±1, ±2,
±3, . . .?
?
f (x) = Cx(x 2 − 1)(x 2 − 4)(x 2 − 9) · · ·
Better:
x2 x2
f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9
This infinite product converges for all values of x
(Knopp, Theory of Functions, Part II, Dover, New York, 1947.)

There is a well-known function that behaves similarly, that is zero

at all the integers, namely, ..... sin πx.
 x2 x2
I f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )···
 x2 x2
I f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )···
I sin πx
 x2 x2
I f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )···
I sin πx
I Both are zero at all the integers.
 x2 x2
I f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )···
I sin πx
I Both are zero at all the integers.
x2 x2
I If Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )··· = sin πx, then C = π.
 x2 x2
I f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )···
I sin πx
I Both are zero at all the integers.
x2 x2
I If Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )··· = sin πx, then C = π.

x2 x2 sin πx
C (1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · · =
4 9 x
 x2 x2
I f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )···
I sin πx
I Both are zero at all the integers.
x2 x2
I If Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )··· = sin πx, then C = π.

x2 x2 sin πx
lim C (1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · · = lim
x→0 4 9 x→0 x
 x2 x2
I f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )···
I sin πx
I Both are zero at all the integers.
x2 x2
I If Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )··· = sin πx, then C = π.

x2 x2 sin πx
lim C (1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · · = lim
x→0 4 9 x→0 x
Therefore C = π.
 x2 x2
I f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )···
I sin πx
I Both are zero at all the integers.
x2 x2
I If Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )··· = sin πx, then C = π.

x2 x2 sin πx
lim C (1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · · = lim
x→0 4 9 x→0 x
Therefore C = π.
I When C = π, we have f (x) = sin πx for all values of x.
 x2 x2
I f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )···
I sin πx
I Both are zero at all the integers.
x2 x2
I If Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )··· = sin πx, then C = π.

x2 x2 sin πx
lim C (1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · · = lim
x→0 4 9 x→0 x
Therefore C = π.
I When C = π, we have f (x) = sin πx for all values of x.
I Euler’s infinite product for sine:
 x2 x2
I f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )···
I sin πx
I Both are zero at all the integers.
x2 x2
I If Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )··· = sin πx, then C = π.

x2 x2 sin πx
lim C (1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · · = lim
x→0 4 9 x→0 x
Therefore C = π.
I When C = π, we have f (x) = sin πx for all values of x.
I Euler’s infinite product for sine:

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9
 x2 x2
I f (x) = Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )···
I sin πx
I Both are zero at all the integers.
x2 x2
I If Cx(1 − x 2 )(1 − 4 )(1 − 9 )··· = sin πx, then C = π.

x2 x2 sin πx
lim C (1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · · = lim
x→0 4 9 x→0 x
Therefore C = π.
I When C = π, we have f (x) = sin πx for all values of x.
I Euler’s infinite product for sine:

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9

AMAZING!
Digression: The Basel Problem
Digression: The Basel Problem

Aside: Euler used this identity

Digression: The Basel Problem

Aside: Euler used this identity

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9
Digression: The Basel Problem

Aside: Euler used this identity

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9
to prove
Digression: The Basel Problem

Aside: Euler used this identity

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9
to prove
1 1 1 π2
1+ 2
+ 2 + 2 + ··· = .
2 3 4 6
Digression: The Basel Problem

Aside: Euler used this identity

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9
to prove
1 1 1 π2
1+ 2
+ 2 + 2 + ··· = .
2 3 4 6

Our goal: prove Wallis’ formula.

Proof of Wallis’ Formula
Proof of Wallis’ Formula

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9
Proof of Wallis’ Formula

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
    4  9
π 3 15 35
sin(π/2) = · ···
2 4 16 36
Proof of Wallis’ Formula

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
    4  9
π 3 15 35 (2n − 1)(2n + 1)
sin(π/2) = · ··· ···
2 4 16 36 (2n)2
Proof of Wallis’ Formula

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
    4  9
π 3 15 35 (2n − 1)(2n + 1)
sin(π/2) = · ··· ···
2 4 16 36 (2n)2
π
1 =
2
Proof of Wallis’ Formula

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
    4  9
π 3 15 35 (2n − 1)(2n + 1)
sin(π/2) = · ··· ···
2 4 16 36 (2n)2
π 1·3
1 = ·
2 2·2
Proof of Wallis’ Formula

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
    4  9
π 3 15 35 (2n − 1)(2n + 1)
sin(π/2) = · ··· ···
2 4 16 36 (2n)2
π 1·3 3·5
1 = · ·
2 2·2 4·4
Proof of Wallis’ Formula

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
    4  9
π 3 15 35 (2n − 1)(2n + 1)
sin(π/2) = · ··· ···
2 4 16 36 (2n)2
π 1·3 3·5 5·7
1 = · · ·
2 2·2 4·4 6·6
Proof of Wallis’ Formula

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
    4  9
π 3 15 35 (2n − 1)(2n + 1)
sin(π/2) = · ··· ···
2 4 16 36 (2n)2
π 1·3 3·5 5·7
1 = · · · ·········
2 2·2 4·4 6·6
Proof of Wallis’ Formula

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
    4  9
π 3 15 35 (2n − 1)(2n + 1)
sin(π/2) = · ··· ···
2 4 16 36 (2n)2
π 1·3 3·5 5·7
1 = · · · ·········
2 2·2 4·4 6·6
Therefore,
Proof of Wallis’ Formula

x2 x2
sin πx = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
    4  9
π 3 15 35 (2n − 1)(2n + 1)
sin(π/2) = · ··· ···
2 4 16 36 (2n)2
π 1·3 3·5 5·7
1 = · · · ·········
2 2·2 4·4 6·6
Therefore,
π 2 2 4 4 6 6
= · · · · · · ···
2 1 3 3 5 5 7
An infinite product for cosine
An infinite product for cosine

x2 x2 x2 x2
sin(πx) = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9 16 25
An infinite product for cosine

x2 x2 x2 x2
sin(πx) = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9 16 25
4x 2 4x 2 4x 2 4x 2
sin(2πx) = 2πx(1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )···
4 9 16 25
An infinite product for cosine

x2 x2 x2 x2
sin(πx) = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9 16 25
4x 2 4x 2 4x 2 4x 2
sin(2πx) = 2πx(1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )···
4 9 16 25
4x 2 x2 4x 2
sin(2πx) = 2πx(1 − 4x 2 )(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )···
9 4 25
An infinite product for cosine

x2 x2 x2 x2
sin(πx) = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9 16 25
4x 2 4x 2 4x 2 4x 2
sin(2πx) = 2πx(1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )···
4 9 16 25
4x 2 x2 4x 2
sin(2πx) = 2πx(1 − 4x 2 )(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )···
9 4 25
x2 4x 2 4x 2
  
sin(2πx) = 2 πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − ) · · · (1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )
4 9 25
An infinite product for cosine

x2 x2 x2 x2
sin(πx) = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9 16 25
4x 2 4x 2 4x 2 4x 2
sin(2πx) = 2πx(1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )···
4 9 16 25
4x 2 x2 4x 2
sin(2πx) = 2πx(1 − 4x 2 )(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )···
9 4 25
x2 4x 2 4x 2
  
sin(2πx) = 2 πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − ) · · · (1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )
4 9 25
sin(2πx) = 2 sin(πx) cos(πx)
An infinite product for cosine

x2 x2 x2 x2
sin(πx) = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9 16 25
4x 2 4x 2 4x 2 4x 2
sin(2πx) = 2πx(1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )···
4 9 16 25
4x 2 x2 4x 2
sin(2πx) = 2πx(1 − 4x 2 )(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )···
9 4 25
x2 4x 2 4x 2
  
sin(2πx) = 2 πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − ) · · · (1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )
4 9 25
sin(2πx) = 2 sin(πx) cos(πx)

Therefore,
An infinite product for cosine

x2 x2 x2 x2
sin(πx) = πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − ) · · ·
4 9 16 25
4x 2 4x 2 4x 2 4x 2
sin(2πx) = 2πx(1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )···
4 9 16 25
4x 2 x2 4x 2
sin(2πx) = 2πx(1 − 4x 2 )(1 − x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )(1 − )···
9 4 25
x2 4x 2 4x 2
  
sin(2πx) = 2 πx(1 − x 2 )(1 − ) · · · (1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )
4 9 25
sin(2πx) = 2 sin(πx) cos(πx)

Therefore,

4x 2 4x 2
cos(πx) = (1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )···
9 25
 √
The infinite product for 2
 √
The infinite product for 2

4x 2 4x 2
cos(πx) = (1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )···
9 25
 √
The infinite product for 2

4x 2 4x 2
cos(πx) = (1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )···
   9  25
3 35 99
cos(π/4) = ···
4 36 100
 √
The infinite product for 2

4x 2 4x 2
cos(πx) = (1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )···
   9  25
3 35 99
cos(π/4) = ···
4 36 100
   
1 1·3 5·7 9 · 11
√ = ···
2 2·2 6·6 10 · 10
 √
The infinite product for 2

4x 2 4x 2
cos(πx) = (1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )···
   9  25
3 35 99
cos(π/4) = ···
4 36 100
   
1 1·3 5·7 9 · 11
√ = ···
2 2·2 6·6 10 · 10
Therefore,
 √
The infinite product for 2

4x 2 4x 2
cos(πx) = (1 − 4x 2 )(1 − )(1 − )···
   9  25
3 35 99
cos(π/4) = ···
4 36 100
   
1 1·3 5·7 9 · 11
√ = ···
2 2·2 6·6 10 · 10
Therefore,
√
   
2 2 6 6 10 10
2 = · · · ···
1 3 5 7 9 11
That’s all folks!

THE END
References

Su, Francis E., et al. ”Wallis’ Formula.” Mudd Math Fun

Facts. http://www.math.hmc.edu/funfacts.
References

Su, Francis E., et al. ”Wallis’ Formula.” Mudd Math Fun

Facts. http://www.math.hmc.edu/funfacts.
Vandervelde, S., “Newton’s Sums and the Infinite Product
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