Can x! be Resolved in a Polynomial Form?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter mathelord
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integral Review
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of expressing the factorial function, x!, in a polynomial form and whether it can be integrated normally. Participants explore the implications of factorials, the Gamma function, and related mathematical concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that x! could potentially be resolved into a polynomial form, suggesting that progress is being made on this idea.
  • Others argue that factorials are only defined for non-negative integers and question the validity of integrating them as if they were continuous functions.
  • A participant mentions that while polynomials can be integrated to polynomials, x! does not fit this category as it grows faster than any polynomial.
  • One participant introduces the Gamma function and Stirling's approximation as relevant concepts, indicating a shift in understanding regarding the factorial function.
  • A comment on the spelling of a name highlights a more informal aspect of the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of factorials and their integration, with no consensus reached on whether x! can be resolved into a polynomial form.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the definitions of factorials and their applicability to real numbers versus integers, as well as unresolved mathematical steps related to integration.

mathelord
I still think the x! can be resolved 2 a polynomial and then solved normally,or can't it,cos my friend is already working on it and has began to mke progress.
Or can't the x! be resolved let me know
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What do you mean "..the x! can be resolved 2 a polynomial and then solved normally.."?

Factorial is only defined on non-negative integers, and not on any real interval (not considering a single point an interval here), so asking about it's integral is a bit of nonsense. Or do you mean factoria'ls usual extension to the Gamma function?
 
mathelord said:
I still think the x! can be resolved 2 a polynomial and then solved normally,or can't it,cos my friend is already working on it and has began to mke progress.
Or can't the x! be resolved let me know
Almost no functions from Real numbers to Real numbers can be integrated in terms of elementary functions. To my knowledge only polynomials can be integrated to polynomials.

x! is not a function from real numbers to real numbers, it is a function from non-negative integers to non-negative integers and can't be integrated. Even if it could be integrated it grows faster than any polynomial so certainly its integral couldn't even be approximated by a polynomial over its whole domain.
 
You could have spelled his name right...

Daniel.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K