Why is zero factorial equal to 1?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of zero factorial being equal to one and different explanations and justifications for this. The conversation also mentions the gamma function and how it can be used to solve factorials for any number. Finally, the conversation ends with a question asking for basic properties of factorials such as if it is distributive over product.
  • #1
quasi426
208
0
Why is zero factorial equal to 1?
 
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  • #2
As they say :rolleyes::
"Man has pondered
Since time immemorial
Why 1 is the value
Of zero-factorial."
___________________________
!
*Edit: Sorry about that! Here's why:
Three reasons, from my perspective:

1) 0! is defined to be equal to one.

2) (This will sound weird. Oh well, here goes) You know how
[tex]\frac{{n!}}{n} = \left( {n - 1} \right)! [/tex]
---->
And so,
[tex]n = 1 \Rightarrow \frac{{1!}}{1} = 0! = 1 [/tex]

3) Consider combinatorials, for example. How many ways are there to choose [tex]k[/tex] objects out of a total quantity of [itex]n[/itex] objects?

*We would use the expression:
[tex] \frac{{n!}}{{k!\left( {n - k} \right)!}} [/tex]

So, for example, there are 6 ways to choose 2 objects out of a set of 4.

But what if [tex]k = 0[/tex], --->i.e., we choose nothing?

[tex]\frac{{n!}}{{0!\left( {n - 0} \right)!}} = \frac{{n!}}{{0!n!}} = \frac{1}{{0!}} = 1\;({\text{or else we have a problem}}) [/tex]

You see, there only one way to choose nothing. :smile:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Personally,
I usually just go with the first statement:

-"0! is defined to be equal to one"- :biggrin:
 
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  • #3
Since (n choose 0) gives the expression of (n choose n), because there's only one way to choose everything, there must be only one way to choose nothing.

Of course consider, for n distinct objects, there are n! permutations of those objects. So it seems that for 0 objects there's 1 possible permutation.
 
  • #5
Is this the correct definition of factorial, or is it inconsistant with 0! ?

[tex]x! = \prod_{n=1}^{x} n[/tex]
 
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  • #6
Joffe said:
Is this the correct definition of factorial, or is it inconsistant with 0! ?

[tex]x! = \prod_{n=1}^{x} n[/tex]

This is the* definition when x is a positive integer. With the usual convention that an empty product is 1, it is consistant with our usual definition for 0! when x=0. However, x=0 is usually left as a special case and explicitly defined as 0!=1.


*there's more than one equivalent way to define factorial of course
 
  • #7
Thanks guys, I was going with the explanation that "0! is just equal to 1 because it is." But I thought about the definition of n! in the book of n(n-1)(n-2)...and I couldn't see exactly how it was so that 0! = 0. So I came here, thanks.
 
  • #8
It's an interesting question because you sort of have to look at it in the abstract. Also, there are a few other ways to rationalize 0! = 1.

For instance, if 0! was anything other than 1, the cosine function wouldn't make any sense. Consider: f(x) = Cos(x) = x^0/0! + x^2/2! -x^4/4!... where x is a radian measure. So, if 0! was not equal to 1, then the first term in the series would not equal 1, and the Taylor series that derived it would be wrong, which would turn everything that we know about math upside down.
 
  • #9
Quadratic said:
For instance, if 0! was anything other than 1, the cosine function wouldn't make any sense. Consider: f(x) = Cos(x) = x^0/0! + x^2/2! -x^4/4!... where x is a radian measure. So, if 0! was not equal to 1, then the first term in the series would not equal 1, and the Taylor series that derived it would be wrong, which would turn everything that we know about math upside down.

It would just change how we express the power series, it would not have any effect whatsoever on the mathematics. This is the same situation as adopting the convention x^0=1 for x=0, without this your power series as expressed doesn't make sense either. This is not a mathematically compelling reason for either convention/definition, rather a notational one.
 
  • #10
Define A as a finite set, define B as the set of permuatations of A, then |A|! = |B|.

This holds true even when |A|=0 as B in this case contains the empty function (and the empty function only), so you can see there is justification for definition 0! = 1.
 
  • #11
[tex]\Gamma{\left(n+1\right)}=n![/tex]

[tex]\Gamma{\left(1\right)}=0!=\int_0^{\infty}e^{-x}\,dx=1[/tex]
 
  • #12
[tex](n+\tfrac{1}{2})! = \sqrt{\pi} \prod_{k=0}^{n}\frac{2k+1}{2}[/tex]

I know that the gamma function can be used to solve factorials for any number but are there any other special rules like this one?
 
  • #13
The special case 0! is defined to have value 0!==1, consistent with the combinatorial interpretation of there being exactly one way to arrange zero objects (i.e., there is a single permutation of zero elements, namely the empty set emptyset).

from the MathWorld
 
  • #14
Quadratic said:
For instance, if 0! was anything other than 1, the cosine function wouldn't make any sense. Consider: f(x) = Cos(x) = x^0/0! + x^2/2! -x^4/4!... where x is a radian measure.

Step back, take a breath and try to think what the person who first came up with such Taylor/McLaurin series might have done if 0! weren't 1, because surely he or she wouldn't have used something that was undefined or unsuitable?
 
  • #15
We should pin this thread, or one of the numerous others like unto it, to the top of the forum. Then again, why? After all: I dig the gamma function.
 
  • #16
Problem

25 < my age < 54. Start from the number of my age and toss a fair coin, plus one if it is a head and minus one otherwise, on average, you need to toss 210 times to hit the bound, i.e. 25 or 54. There are two integers satisfying the condition. Fortunately, the smaller one is my age.
 
  • #17
benorin said:
We should pin this thread, or one of the numerous others like unto it, to the top of the forum. Then again, why? After all: I dig the gamma function.

And I'm sure the gamma function is fascinated by you.
 
  • #18


could you show me some basic properties of factorials? is factorial distributive over product?
 
  • #19


Can't you test that hypothesis yourself?

What are 6!, 3!, and 2! equal to?

What would 3!*2! be?
 

1. Why is zero factorial defined as 1?

The definition of factorial is based on the concept of multiplying a number by all of the positive integers that are smaller than it. In the case of zero, there are no positive integers that are smaller, so by definition, the result is 1.

2. How is the value of zero factorial derived?

The value of zero factorial is not derived, but rather defined as 1 based on the concept of factorial and the mathematical rules for multiplying by zero.

3. What is the significance of zero factorial being equal to 1?

The value of zero factorial being equal to 1 is significant in various mathematical calculations, such as in the binomial theorem, combinatorics, and probability. It also helps simplify equations and makes them more elegant.

4. Can zero factorial be explained intuitively?

While it may seem counterintuitive at first, the concept of zero factorial can be understood by thinking of it as the number of ways to arrange zero objects. Since there is only one way to arrange zero objects (i.e. not arranging them at all), the result is 1.

5. Is there a mathematical proof for why zero factorial is equal to 1?

Yes, there are various mathematical proofs that explain why zero factorial is defined as 1, including using the definition of factorial, mathematical induction, and the gamma function. These proofs show that any other value for zero factorial would cause inconsistencies in mathematical equations and therefore, 1 is the most logical and consistent choice.

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