Timeline for Why does the gamma function use the symbol $\Gamma(\,)$?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
7 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2017 at 12:58 | history | edited | CommunityBot |
replaced http://mathoverflow.net/ with https://mathoverflow.net/
|
|
| Feb 3, 2014 at 11:35 | vote | accept | Joseph O'Rourke | ||
| Feb 3, 2014 at 3:40 | comment | added | Lucian | Not the historical explanation, but merely an (interesting ?) observation: Gamma is the Greek letter for G. The Gaussian function is $\int_0^\infty e^{-x^2}dx=\Gamma\big(1+\frac12\big)$. Generalizing, we have $\int_0^\infty e^{-x^n}dx=\Gamma\big(1+\frac1n\big)$, as can be easily proven by a simple variable change. So, whatever the actual reason for its name, I find its mathematical and symbolical connection with the Gaussian integral providential. On a related note, I also like to see a symbolical link between the name of the Beta function and Binomial coefficients. | |
| Feb 3, 2014 at 0:23 | comment | added | Suvrit | Because when Legendre wrote a letter to Gauss about the Legendre $L$ function, Gauss happened to have mistakenly viewed it in an upside down mirror.... sorry, jk! | |
| Feb 2, 2014 at 22:42 | answer | added | user9072 | timeline score: 7 | |
| Feb 2, 2014 at 22:42 | comment | added | Will Jagy | mathoverflow.net/questions/20960/… | |
| Feb 2, 2014 at 22:11 | history | asked | Joseph O'Rourke | CC BY-SA 3.0 |