Try using a sterling approximation on the factorial

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around demonstrating the inequality \[ \frac{n}{{\sqrt[n]{{n!}}}} < \left( {1 + \frac{1}{n}} \right)^n \] Participants explore the use of Stirling's approximation on the factorial as a potential approach to the problem, which is not classified as homework.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest using Stirling's approximation to approach the inequality.
  • One participant expresses frustration over not reaching a solution after several days of effort.
  • Another participant requests a summary of the original poster's (OP's) attempts to better assist with hints.
  • A participant mentions a specific form of Stirling's approximation that might help solve the problem.
  • One participant proposes a detailed solution involving inequalities related to Euler's number, but does not claim it as definitive proof.
  • Another participant acknowledges the solution as impressive and notes that it appears simpler than an alternative method they know.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on a definitive solution, as participants are still exploring the problem and various approaches. Some participants express confidence in the proposed solution, while others are still seeking clarity and further discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the mathematical steps involved in the inequality, and there are varying interpretations of the problem's origin and context.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in mathematical inequalities, factorial approximations, or Stirling's approximation may find the discussion relevant.

Arhimede
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Can somebody demonstrate :
[tex]\[<br /> \frac{n}{{\sqrt[n]{{n!}}}} < \left( {1 + \frac{1}{n}} \right)^n <br /> \][/tex]
ITS not A HOMEWORK
 
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Arhimede said:
Can somebody demonstrate :
[tex]\[<br /> \frac{n}{{\sqrt[n]{{n!}}}} < \left( {1 + \frac{1}{n}} \right)^n <br /> \][/tex]
ITS not A HOMEWORK


I suppose it wouldn't exactly be a proof but you could try using a sterling approximation on the factorial.
 


John Creighto said:
I suppose it wouldn't exactly be a proof but you could try using a sterling approximation on the factorial.

There must be a solution. several days i try to solve this problem but i do not reach any results.
 


Arhimede said:
There must be a solution. several days i try to solve this problem but i do not reach any results.

What application is the problem from?
 


From math's corpus
 


I think that I've figured out how to prove your inequality. I'm new to this board, but it seems that you are expected to show what you've already tried or where you got stuck, even if it's not homework. So, if you could give a brief summary of your work so far, that would help me to know what hints to give you. Also, your explanation that this problem came from "math's corpus" doesn't really mean anything in English. That's OK, but could you try again and be more specific? Thanks.
 


Good job Petek!
 


There is a form of Stirling's approximation that gives a range in which the factorial falls. I suspect that would suffice to solve this problem.
 


It's now been a week since the OP's last post (hope I didn't scare him/her off). Does anyone object to me posting my solution? I'd like others to check it for correctness.

Petek
 
  • #10


Petek said:
It's now been a week since the OP's last post (hope I didn't scare him/her off). Does anyone object to me posting my solution? I'd like others to check it for correctness.

Go ahead, that shouldn't be a problem.
 
  • #11


I agree. Looks kind of like a puzzle...
 
  • #12


OK, here goes.
Exercise: Show that [tex]\[\frac{n}{{\sqrt[n]{{n!}}}} < \left( {1 + \frac{1}{n}} \right)^n \][/tex] for all natural numbers n.

Solution: We use without proof the following inequalities:

[tex](1 + \frac{1}{k})^k \leq e \leq (1 + \frac{1}{k})^{k + 1} \right {(*)}[/tex]

(where e is Euler's number) for all natural numbers k. A proof may be found in many calculus and real analysis books. (I couldn't find a good online reference for these inequalities. Does anyone know of one?)

For k = 1, 2, ..., n - 1, multiply together the inequalities on the left side of (*):[tex]\prod_{k=1}^{n-1}(1 + \frac{1}{k})^{k} \leq e^{n -1}[/tex]The left side of this inequality equals [tex]\frac{n^n}{n!}[/tex] (To see this, rewrite [tex](1 + \frac{1}{k})[/tex] as

[tex]\frac{k + 1}{k}[/tex], simplify the product to [tex]\[\frac{n^{n-1}}{(n-1)!}[/tex] and multiply by [tex]\frac{n}{n})[/tex].

Therefore[tex]\frac{n^n}{n!} \leq e^{n-1}[/tex]or,[tex]\[\frac{n}{{\sqrt[n]{{n!}}}} \leq e^{\frac{n-1}{n}} = e^{1-\frac{1}{n}}[/tex]Now, in (*), raise the right inequality to the power [tex]1 - \frac{1}{n}:[/tex][tex]e^{1-\frac{1}{n}} \leq (1 + \frac{1}{n})^{(n+1)(1-\frac{1}{n})} = (1 + \frac{1}{n})^{n-\frac{1}{n}}[/tex], which is strictly less than [tex](1 + <br /> <br /> \frac{1}{n})^{n}[/tex].

Therefore, [tex]\[\frac{n}{{\sqrt[n]{{n!}}}} \leq e^{1-\frac{1}{n}} < (1 + \frac{1}{n})^{n}[/tex], as required.
 
  • #13


Impressive!
 
  • #14


thanks for solving it is quite simlpe resolved, I know another solve more complex, it seems that yours is the easier
 

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