Show the gamma density function integrates to 1

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) = \frac{λ^α}{\Gamma (α)} t^{α-1}e^{-λt}
\Gamma (α)= \int_0^∞ t^{α-1} e^{-t} dt

The Attempt at a Solution



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

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

...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) = \frac{λ^α}{\Gamma (α)} t^{α-1}e^{-λt}
\Gamma (α)= \int_0^∞ t^{α-1} e^{-t} dt

The Attempt at a Solution



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

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

...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.
 
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