Show the gamma density function integrates to 1

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Catchfire
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Homework Statement


Show the gamma density function integrates to 1.

Homework Equations


Assume α > 0, λ > 0, t > 0
g(t) = [itex]\frac{λ^α}{\Gamma (α)} t^{α-1}e^{-λt}[/itex]
[itex]\Gamma (α)= \int_0^∞ t^{α-1} e^{-t} dt[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution



Show [itex]\int_0^∞ \frac{λ^α}{\Gamma (α)} t^{α-1}e^{-λt} dt = 1[/itex]

[itex]\int_0^∞ \frac{λ^α}{\Gamma (α)} t^{α-1}e^{-λt} dt[/itex]
= [itex]\frac{λ^α}{\Gamma (α)} \int_0^∞ t^{α-1}e^{-λt}dt[/itex]
= [itex]\frac{λ^α}{\Gamma (α)} \int_0^∞ t^{α-1}e^{-t}e^λdt[/itex]
= [itex]\frac{λ^αe^λ}{\Gamma (α)} \int_0^∞ t^{α-1}e^{-t}dt[/itex]
= [itex]\frac{λ^αe^λ \Gamma (α)}{\Gamma (α)}[/itex]
= [itex]λ^αe^λ[/itex]

...where did I lose the plot?
 
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Catchfire said:

Homework Statement


Show the gamma density function integrates to 1.

Homework Equations


Assume α > 0, λ > 0, t > 0
g(t) = [itex]\frac{λ^α}{\Gamma (α)} t^{α-1}e^{-λt}[/itex]
[itex]\Gamma (α)= \int_0^∞ t^{α-1} e^{-t} dt[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution



Show [itex]\int_0^∞ \frac{λ^α}{\Gamma (α)} t^{α-1}e^{-λt} dt = 1[/itex]

[itex]\int_0^∞ \frac{λ^α}{\Gamma (α)} t^{α-1}e^{-λt} dt[/itex]
= [itex]\frac{λ^α}{\Gamma (α)} \int_0^∞ t^{α-1}e^{-λt}dt[/itex]
= [itex]\frac{λ^α}{\Gamma (α)} \int_0^∞ t^{α-1}e^{-t}e^λdt[/itex]
= [itex]\frac{λ^αe^λ}{\Gamma (α)} \int_0^∞ t^{α-1}e^{-t}dt[/itex]
= [itex]\frac{λ^αe^λ \Gamma (α)}{\Gamma (α)}[/itex]
= [itex]λ^αe^λ[/itex]

...where did I lose the plot?

You lost it when you said ##e^{-λt}=e^{-t}e^λ##. That's not true. I would try the variable substitution ##u=λt##.
 
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Looks like I need to refresh myself on the laws of exponents.

That substitution did the trick, thanks.