Chapter 4: Problem 81
a. If \(\alpha>0, \Gamma(\alpha)\) is defined by \(\Gamma(\alpha)=\int_{0}^{\infty} y^{\alpha-1} e^{-y} d y,\) show that \(\Gamma(1)=1\) * b. If \(\alpha>1,\) integrate by parts to prove that \(\Gamma(\alpha)=(\alpha-1) \Gamma(\alpha-1)\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(\Gamma(1) = 1\) and \(\Gamma(\alpha) = (\alpha-1)\Gamma(\alpha-1)\).
Step by step solution
01
Define the Gamma Function
The Gamma function \( \Gamma(\alpha) \) is defined as \( \Gamma(\alpha) = \int_{0}^{\infty} y^{\alpha-1} e^{-y} \, dy \). This function generalizes the factorial function with \( \Gamma(n) = (n-1)! \) for positive integers \( n \).
02
Prove \(\Gamma(1) = 1\)
Substitute \( \alpha = 1 \) into the definition of the Gamma function: \[ \Gamma(1) = \int_{0}^{\infty} y^{1-1} e^{-y} \; dy = \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-y} \; dy. \]The integral \( \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-y} \; dy \) is a standard exponential integral and equals 1. Thus, \( \Gamma(1) = 1 \).
03
Integrate by Parts for \( \Gamma(\alpha) \)
For \( \alpha > 1 \), set \( u = y^{\alpha-1} \) and \( dv = e^{-y} \, dy \). Then, \( du = (\alpha-1)y^{\alpha-2} \, dy \) and \( v = -e^{-y} \).
04
Apply Integration by Parts Formula
Apply the integration by parts formula \( \int u \, dv = uv - \int v \, du \):\[ \Gamma(\alpha) = \left[-y^{\alpha-1} e^{-y}\right]_{0}^{\infty} + \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-y} (\alpha-1) y^{\alpha-2} \, dy. \]
05
Evaluate Boundary Terms
The boundary term \( \left[-y^{\alpha-1} e^{-y}\right]_{0}^{\infty} \) evaluates to 0 because as \( y \to \infty \), \( e^{-y} \to 0 \) faster than \( y^{\alpha-1} \to \infty \), and at \( y = 0 \), the term is also 0. So we have:\[ \Gamma(\alpha) = (\alpha-1) \int_{0}^{\infty} y^{\alpha-2} e^{-y} \, dy. \]
06
Recognize the Inductive Hypothesis
Notice that \( \int_{0}^{\infty} y^{\alpha-2} e^{-y} \, dy \) is the definition of \( \Gamma(\alpha-1) \), thus:\[ \Gamma(\alpha) = (\alpha-1) \Gamma(\alpha-1). \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Integration by Parts
Integration by parts is a technique used in calculus to simplify certain types of integrals. The approach is derived from the product rule for differentiation and can be extremely helpful for integrating a product of functions.
Here's the basic formula for integration by parts:
Here's the basic formula for integration by parts:
- \( \int u \, dv = uv - \int v \, du \)
- First, choose which part of the integrand to assign as \( u \) and \( dv \). This choice can be guided by the type of functions involved; for example, polynomial functions are typically good candidates for \( u \).
- Next, differentiate \( u \) to get \( du \) and integrate \( dv \) to get \( v \). Substitute these into the integration by parts formula.
- Finally, compute the remaining integral.
Factorial Function
The factorial function, typically denoted as \( n! \), is the product of all positive integers up to a given number \( n \). It's defined as:
This means:
- \( n! = n \times (n-1) \times \cdots \times 2 \times 1 \)
- By convention, \( 0! = 1 \)
This means:
- The Gamma function provides a way to extend the notion of factorials beyond integers. It handles non-integer and complex number inputs as well.
- It is a continuous extension of the factorial function, often used in advanced calculus and complex analysis.
Exponential Integral
The exponential integral is a category of integrals involving the exponential function, which is a common element in many mathematical problems. In the exercise, the integral \( \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-y} \, dy \) is an exponential integral that evaluates to 1. This specific integral is essential in demonstrating basic properties of the Gamma function, like showing that \( \Gamma(1) = 1 \).
Key points about the exponential integral:
Key points about the exponential integral:
- The form \( e^{-y} \) represents a rapidly decreasing function as \( y \) approaches infinity, ensuring convergence of the integral over an infinite domain.
- Understanding this integral helps develop intuition about the behavior of functions involving exponentials, especially over large intervals.
- It frequently appears in various fields such as physics, statistics, and engineering, where decay processes or growth models are examined.