Homework: Odd Factoria (1x3x5x) Recurrence Relation Solution

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a recurrence relation problem related to odd factorials and integration techniques. Participants are exploring methods to express the product of odd numbers and its relation to factorials, particularly in the context of Gamma functions and integration by parts.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various methods for solving the recurrence relation, including integration by parts and the use of the Gamma function. There are attempts to clarify the relationship between odd factorials and standard factorials, with some questioning the accuracy of their expressions and the presence of missing factors.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on correcting expressions and identifying missing factors in the calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of different interpretations and approaches, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note issues with clarity in their workings and express a desire for resources on using LaTeX for better presentation of mathematical expressions. There are also mentions of unrelated login issues affecting participation in the discussion.

unscientific
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Homework Statement



The question is stated in the picture attached.



The Attempt at a Solution



I used a slightly different method, by making use of recurrence relations through integration by parts:

Jn = (2/2n+1) Jn+1


Jn = [1x3x5x...]/[2n] √∏

= [2n-1]! / [2n-1 * (n-1)! ] = (2n)! / (2n * n!)


But the answer had 4n instead at the bottom... Not sure where I went wrong.
 

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unscientific said:

Homework Statement



The question is stated in the picture attached.

The Attempt at a Solution



I used a slightly different method, by making use of recurrence relations through integration by parts:

Jn = (2/2n+1) Jn+1Jn = [1x3x5x...]/[2n] √∏

= [2n-1]! / [2n-1 * (n-1)! ] = (2n)! / (2n * n!)But the answer had 4n instead at the bottom... Not sure where I went wrong.

Your working is mostly correct unscientific, you just left behind a factor of [itex]2^n[/itex] on the denominator.

Where you had Jn = [1x3x5x...(2n-1)]/[2n] √∏, this is correct.

Next you can replace the "odd factorial" with,

[tex](2n-1)(2n-3) \ldots 1 = \frac{(2n-1)!}{2^{n-1} (n-1)!} = \frac{(2n)!}{2^{n} (n)!}[/tex]
 
Last edited:
[tex]1 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 \cdot \cdots \cdot (2m+1) = \frac{(2m+1)!}{2 \cdot 4 \cdot \cdots \cdot 2m} = \frac{(2m+1)!}{2^m m!}.[/tex]
Thus [tex]\frac{1 \cdot 3 \cdot 5 \cdot \cdots \cdot (2m+1) }{2^m} = \frac{(2m+1)!}{4^m m!}.[/tex]

RGV
 
uart said:
Your working is mostly correct unscientific, you just left behind a factor of [itex]2^n[/itex] on the denominator.

Where you had Jn = [1x3x5x...(2n-1)]/[2n] √∏, this is correct.

Next you can replace the "odd factorial" with,

[tex](2n-1)(2n-3) \ldots 1 = \frac{(2n-1)!}{2^{n-1} (n-1)!} = \frac{(2n)!}{2^{n} (n)!}[/tex]

Oh damn! I forgot about the 2n below initially! Can't believe I missed it despite checking numerous times. Sorry, I will check my working more thoroughly next time!
 
Also, are there any links on this site that teaches one how to use latex? I think it'll make my workings clearer.
 
Splitting the integral up and setting [itex]x=\sqrt{t}[/itex] yields the integral
[tex]2\int^{\infty}_{0}\frac{t^n e^{-t}\,dt}{2\sqrt{t}}[/tex]
which gives
[tex]\int^{\infty}_{0}t^{n-1/2} e^{-t}\,dt = \Gamma(n+1/2)[/tex]
The Lagrange duplication formula can be applied here:
[tex]\Gamma(n)\Gamma(n+1/2)=2^{1-2n}\sqrt{\pi}\Gamma(2n)[/tex]
For integer n, this simplifies to
[tex]\Gamma(n+1/2)=\frac{2(2n-1)!\sqrt{\pi}}{4^{n}(n-1)!}[/tex]
which is equivalent to
[tex]\Gamma(n+1/2)=\frac{(2n)!\sqrt{\pi}}{4^{n}n!}[/tex]
This gives the result in the paper. Usually, I try to work integrals that have a power of a variable and the exponential function in it using the Gamma function. It worked in this case as well.
 
Last edited:
I seem to have problems with logging into my main account: unscientific

It always says that I've tried to log in too many times..
 
I know I shouldn't be posting here but I have problems with my both accounts (unscientific and this) - It keeps saying that I've tried to log in too many times and can't try for 15mins..

This question is about the green function..

I'm wondering what could be wrong with my working..

I'm getting (d2x/dt2) + x = 0

instead of f(t)...
 

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  • #10
I've attached the solutions..I got nearly the same answer just with an additional term of

f(∏)*sin(t)


Unless f(∏) = 0, which they never stated anywhere...
 

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  • #11
tooscientific said:
I seem to have problems with logging into my main account: unscientific

It always says that I've tried to log in too many times..

I had that response for a while this morning, too: it said I had exceeded the number of incorrect log-in attempts (not true: 0 is not greater than 4 or whatever), and to wait 15 minutes and try again. It still did not work after waiting 45 minutes, nor after waiting 2 hours. However, it is now working again, obviously.

RGV
 

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