Verify Gamma function, not a homework problem

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on verifying the calculation of the Gamma function, specifically \(\Gamma(n+p+1)\) for negative values of \(p\) such as \(-\frac{1}{2}\), \(-\frac{3}{2}\), and \(-\frac{5}{2}\). The user employs the identity \(\Gamma(n+p+1) = \frac{\Gamma(n+p+2)}{(n+p+1)}\) to derive series representations. The calculations yield specific results for each negative \(p\) value, confirming the relationships with Bessel's equation. Tools like Wolfram Alpha and Maple are suggested for verifying these computations.

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  • Understanding of the Gamma function and its properties
  • Familiarity with Bessel's equation and its applications
  • Basic knowledge of series expansions in mathematical analysis
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yungman
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I want to verify the procedure of finding .\Gamma(n+p+1). with p =-ve. This is usually found in Bessel's equation. It is well talked about if p=+ve. But books I have don't even talking about in general how to find the series representation when p=-ve. I worked this out and I want to verify with you guys whether I am correct for some simple numbers of p= -1/2, -3/2,-5/2.

I use \Gamma(n+p+1) = \frac{\Gamma(n+p+2)}{ (n+p+1) } as the bases to expand the equations below.



I start using this identity of p=1/2

\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2}+1) = ((n-1)+\frac{1}{2}+1) \Gamma[(n-1)+\frac{1}{2}+1] = ((n-n)+\frac{1}{2}+1)((n-n+1)+\frac{1}{2}+1)...[(n-1)+\frac{1}{2}+1]\Gamma(0+\frac{1}{2}+1)

\Rightarrow \Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2}+1) = (\frac{0+1+2}{2})(\frac{2+1+2}{2})(\frac{4+1+2}{2})...(\frac{((2n-2)+1+2)}{2})\Gamma(\frac{0+1+2}{2})

\Gamma(\frac{3}{2})=\frac{1}{2}\Gamma (\frac{1}{2})

\Rightarrow \Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2}+1) = (\frac{1}{2})(\frac{3}{2})(\frac{5}{2})...(\frac{2n+1}{2})\Gamma(\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{(2n+1)!\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{2n+1} n!}





For p=-1/2 I use the result from above and add to it:
\Gamma(n-\frac{1}{2}+1) = \frac{\Gamma(n-\frac{1}{2}+2)}{ (n-\frac{1}{2}+1) } = \frac{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2}+1)}{ (n-\frac{1}{2}+1) } = \frac{(2n+1)!\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{2n+1}n! (n-\frac{1}{2}+1) } = \frac{(2n+1)!\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{2n+1}n! (\frac{2n-1+2}{2}) }

\Rightarrow \Gamma(n-\frac{1}{2}+1) = \frac{(2n+1)!\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{2n}n! (2n+1) } = \frac{(2n)!\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{2n}n! }



For p=-3/2
\Gamma(n-\frac{3}{2}+1) = \frac{\Gamma(n-\frac{3}{2}+2)}{ (n-\frac{3}{2}+1) } = \frac{\Gamma(n-\frac{1}{2}+1)}{ (n-\frac{3}{2}+1) } = \frac{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2}+1)}{ (n-\frac{3}{2}+1) (n-\frac{1}{2}+1) }


\Rightarrow \Gamma(n-\frac{3}{2}+1) = \frac{(2n+1)!\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{2n+1}n! (n-\frac{3}{2}+1)(n-\frac{1}{2}+1) } = \frac{(2n+1)!\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{2n+1}n! (\frac{2n-3+2}{2}) (\frac{2n-1+2}{2})}

\Rightarrow \Gamma(n-\frac{3}{2}+1) = \frac{(2n+1)!\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{2n-1}n! (2n-1)(2n+1) } = \frac{(2n)!\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{2n-1}n! (2n-1)}




For p=-5/2
\Gamma(n-\frac{5}{2}+1) = \frac{\Gamma(n-\frac{3}{2}+1)}{ (n-\frac{5}{2}+1) } = \frac{\Gamma(n+\frac{1}{2}+1)}{ (n-\frac{5}{2}+1) (n-\frac{3}{2}+1) (n-\frac{1}{2}+1) }


\Gamma(n-\frac{5}{2}+1) = \frac{(2n+1)!\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{2n+1}n! (\frac{2n-3}{2}) (\frac{2n-1}{2})(\frac{2n+1}{2})}

\Rightarrow \Gamma(n-\frac{5}{2}+1) = \frac{(2n+1)!\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{2n-2}n! (2n-3)(2n-1) (2n+1)} = \frac{(2n)!\sqrt{\pi}}{2^{2n-2}n! (2n-3)(2n-1)}


Please tell me whether I did this correct or not. There is not example or homework of this in a few of my books but we do use it in Bessel equation expansion. I just work out this formulas.
 
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