Solving for k With Gamma Function

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The discussion focuses on solving for k in the equation k*Γ((n-1)/2 + 1)=Γ(n/2 + 1) using properties of the Gamma function. A participant suggests that k can be expressed as k=Γ(n/2 + 1)/Γ((n-1)/2 + 1), but there is a desire to simplify this further without retaining the Gamma function. The conversation reveals a misunderstanding about the initial equation, leading to a correction where the equation is adjusted to k*Γ((n+1)/2 + 1)=Γ(n/2 + 1). The use of the Beta function and Euler's Reflective formula is mentioned as potential tools for finding a solution. The focus is now on determining the solution for B((n/2) + 1, 1/2).
Matthollyw00d
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k*Γ((n-1)/2 + 1)=Γ(n/2 + 1)

I need to solve for k, and I'm having some difficulty manipulating the gamma function to obtain my desired result. Any properties, hints or help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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The Gamma function relates to the factoria function for a positive integer by \Gamma <br /> (n+1) =n! If things like n/2 are a problem, we have \Gamma((n+1)/2+1)=(n+1)/2*\Gamma\((n+1)/2)
 
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Matthollyw00d said:
k*Γ((n-1)/2 + 1)=Γ(n/2 + 1)

I need to solve for k, and I'm having some difficulty manipulating the gamma function to obtain my desired result. Any properties, hints or help would be greatly appreciated.
I must be completely misunderstanding the question.
k= \frac{\Gamma(\frac{n}{2}+ 1)}{\Gamma(\frac{n-1}{2}+ 1)}
What more do you want? To reduce the right side to a single gamma function?
 
HallsofIvy said:
I must be completely misunderstanding the question.
k= \frac{\Gamma(\frac{n}{2}+ 1)}{\Gamma(\frac{n-1}{2}+ 1)}
What more do you want? To reduce the right side to a single gamma function?

Yes, sorry. Obviously that could be a solution and I'll live with that solution if it's the best I can get; however, I'm pretty sure k can be reduced to just a simple expression of n without the Gamma function hanging around.

And Robert Ihnot, that's pretty much all I've been using and a bit of the Beta Function, but was unable to get very far last night. I kept getting a Γ(-1/2) and I can't work with that.
 
You can work with that using Euler's Reflective formula: \Gamma(1-z)\Gamma(z)
=\pi divided by sin(\pi(z))
 
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As it turns out I had made an error early on in the problem and it turns out I need to find k for k*Γ((n+1)/2 + 1)=Γ(n/2 + 1) instead of k*Γ((n-1)/2 + 1)=Γ(n/2 + 1). Which now seems much more promising and I should be able to find a solution with the Beta Function. Now I just need to find the solution to
B((n/2) + 1, 1/2)
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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