FACTORIAL !
We all know what a factorial is, in mathematical terms.
It is nothing but the product of all positive integers less than or
equal to a given positive integer and denoted by that integer and an
exclamation point.
But in practical terms,
Factorial represents, how many different orders there are for things
or how many different ways we can arrange things.
For example,
If there are two coins - you can arrange them in two different ways -
like wise if you have 3 coins - there are 6 ways you can arrange
them.
Factorials are used in many fields of mathematics like, recursion,
permutations, combinations, probability distributions, number
theory, etc..,
What is 0! ?
This practically means, how many ways are there for arranging 0
objects.
There are some of the mathematical proofs which explains that,
0! = 1
1. From definition of factorial, consider,
N! = N*(N-1)!
Which can be re-written as,
(N-1)! = N!/N
Consider N=1,
Then we get,
(1-1)! = 1!/1
0! = 1/1
0! = 1
2. We can also write,
n! = (n+1)! / (n+1)
when we put n=0, we get :
0! = (0+1)! ÷ (0+1)
0! = 1! ÷ 1
0! = 1 ÷ 1
0! = 1
They prove that 0! = 1, by permutations and combinations also.
But these are all mathematical proofs.
Philosophically, they say 0! = 1, because there is exactly one way
to do nothing.
In practical terms,
How can we arrange in different ways if there is nothing to
arrange? How is there one way to arrange something which is not
there?
For example, arranging 0 cards in different ways should be zero,
because there are no ways of arranging a card which is not there,
but according to the above proofs, there is one way, which makes
us suspect.
Also, we know that 0! = 1 and 1! = 1. Which means, 0! = 1!
How can arranging, zero objects and 1 object be same.
According to mathematical proof 0! Should be equal to 1. Apart
from mathematical proof, practically I suspect that, 0! Is not equal
to 1.
Even though the mathematical proof gives a acceptable
conclusion, when we think practically, it makes us suspect if it is
really equal to 1.
I end this article with a question,
Is 0! = 1? Sure?
Veena T
3PCM
2240460