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Gamma Function Calculator

Calculate the Gamma function with step-by-step solutions, interactive graphs, and factorial comparison tables. Supports both positive and negative real numbers.

Gamma Function Calculator

Try these examples:

5 Integer 1/2 Half 3.5 Decimal -1/2 Negative 3/2 3/2 10 Large
Value of x:
Decimal Precision:

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About Gamma Function Calculator

Welcome to the Gamma Function Calculator, a comprehensive tool for computing the Gamma function with step-by-step solutions, interactive visualizations, and adjustable precision. The Gamma function is one of the most important special functions in mathematics, extending the factorial to all real and complex numbers.

What is the Gamma Function?

The Gamma function, denoted as Gamma(x), is a mathematical function that extends the concept of factorial to real and complex numbers. While the factorial n! is only defined for non-negative integers, the Gamma function provides a smooth interpolation that allows us to compute the "factorial" of any number except non-positive integers.

Definition by Integral

For positive real numbers x, the Gamma function is defined by the improper integral:

Gamma Function Definition
$$\Gamma(x) = \int_0^{\infty} t^{x-1} e^{-t} \, dt$$

This integral converges for all positive real numbers x and can be extended to negative non-integers using the reflection formula.

Relationship to Factorial

For positive integers n, the Gamma function is related to factorial by:

Factorial Relationship
$$\Gamma(n) = (n-1)!$$

This means:

Key Properties of the Gamma Function

Recurrence Relation

The Gamma function satisfies the fundamental recurrence relation:

Recurrence Relation
$$\Gamma(x+1) = x \cdot \Gamma(x)$$

This property mirrors the factorial identity (n+1)! = (n+1) * n! and allows us to compute Gamma values by recursion.

Reflection Formula

For non-integer values, the reflection formula connects positive and negative arguments:

Euler's Reflection Formula
$$\Gamma(x) \cdot \Gamma(1-x) = \frac{\pi}{\sin(\pi x)}$$

This formula is essential for computing Gamma values at negative non-integers.

Special Values

Some notable values of the Gamma function include:

Gamma(1/2)
= sqrt(pi) ~ 1.7725
Gamma(1)
= 1
Gamma(3/2)
= sqrt(pi)/2 ~ 0.8862
Gamma(5/2)
= 3*sqrt(pi)/4 ~ 1.3293

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the value of x: Input any real number. You can use positive numbers, negative non-integers, and decimal values. The calculator accepts values from -170 to 170.
  2. Select precision: Choose the desired decimal precision for your result: 6, 10, 15, or 20 decimal places.
  3. Calculate and view results: Click "Calculate Gamma Function" to see the result along with step-by-step solution, interactive graph, and comparison table.

Note: The Gamma function is undefined at zero and negative integers (0, -1, -2, -3, ...) because these are poles of the function where it approaches infinity.

Understanding Your Results

Main Result

The calculator displays the Gamma function value with your selected precision. For very large or very small results, scientific notation is also provided.

Step-by-Step Solution

The solution breakdown shows:

Interactive Graph

The Chart.js visualization shows the Gamma function curve with your input point highlighted. This helps you understand the behavior of the function near your input value and visualize where your calculation falls on the curve.

Comparison Table

For positive inputs, a table shows Gamma values at nearby integers, allowing you to see how your result compares to factorial values and understand the function's behavior between integers.

Applications of the Gamma Function

Probability and Statistics

The Gamma function appears in numerous probability distributions:

Combinatorics

The Gamma function generalizes permutations and combinations to non-integer values:

Physics and Engineering

Applications in physical sciences include:

Mathematics

The Gamma function is central to many areas of pure mathematics:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Gamma function?

The Gamma function is a mathematical function that extends the factorial to complex and real numbers. For positive integers n, Gamma(n) = (n-1)!. It is defined by the integral formula: Gamma(x) = integral from 0 to infinity of t^(x-1) * e^(-t) dt, and is one of the most important special functions in mathematics with applications in probability theory, statistics, combinatorics, and physics.

How is the Gamma function related to factorials?

For positive integers n, the Gamma function equals (n-1)!. This means Gamma(1) = 0! = 1, Gamma(2) = 1! = 1, Gamma(3) = 2! = 2, Gamma(4) = 3! = 6, and so on. The Gamma function extends this pattern to non-integer values, allowing us to compute values like the "factorial of 0.5" which equals sqrt(pi)/2.

What is the value of Gamma(1/2)?

Gamma(1/2) = sqrt(pi), which is approximately 1.7724538509. This is one of the most famous special values of the Gamma function and has important applications in probability theory, particularly in the normal distribution and chi-squared distribution.

Can the Gamma function be calculated for negative numbers?

Yes, the Gamma function can be calculated for negative non-integer numbers using the reflection formula: Gamma(x) * Gamma(1-x) = pi / sin(pi*x). However, the Gamma function is undefined (has poles) at zero and negative integers (0, -1, -2, -3, ...) because the function approaches infinity at these points.

What are the applications of the Gamma function?

The Gamma function has numerous applications including: probability distributions (gamma, beta, chi-squared, Student's t distributions), combinatorics and permutations, complex analysis, quantum mechanics and physics, signal processing, and solving differential equations. It appears in formulas for surface areas of n-dimensional spheres and in the normalization of probability densities.

Why is the Gamma function shifted by 1 from factorial?

The shift (Gamma(n) = (n-1)! instead of n!) is a historical convention established by Legendre. While some mathematicians have argued for a "Pi function" where Pi(n) = n!, the Gamma function convention has become standard because it simplifies many formulas in analysis and makes the reflection formula more elegant.

Additional Resources

To learn more about the Gamma function:

Reference this content, page, or tool as:

"Gamma Function Calculator" at https://MiniWebtool.com/gamma-function-calculator/ from MiniWebtool, https://MiniWebtool.com/

by miniwebtool team. Updated: Jan 08, 2026

You can also try our AI Math Solver GPT to solve your math problems through natural language question and answer.

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