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Gamma Function Reflection Formula

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43 views5 pages

Gamma Function Reflection Formula

Uploaded by

jiana shroff
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

reflection formula for gamma function

Spring semester 2024

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Last modified: January 19, 2024

Gamma function satisfies the following identity for all complex z:


π
Γ (z) Γ (1 − z) = , (1)
sin(πz)

referred to as the Euler’s reflection formula.


We start from the relation between gamma and beta functions:

Γ (x) Γ (y)
B(x, y) = . (2)
Γ (x + y)

Choosing x = z, y = 1 − z, i.e. x + y = 1 and knowing that Γ (1) = 1, we obtain:

Z1 Z1  z
z−1 −z t dt
Γ (z) Γ (1 − z) = B(z, 1 − z) Γ (1) = t (1 − t) dt = , (3)
1−t t
0 0

where the first of the integrals is just the definition of beta function.
Perform the substitution
t
u2 = , (4)
1−t
so that 0 ≤ u < ∞ and

u2 2u du dt 2 du
t= , dt = , = . (5)
1 + u2 (1 + u 2 )2 t u (1 + u 2 )

Page 1 of 5
PHYS 2400 Reflection formula for Gamma function Spring semester 2024

y
C2

z = Reiθ

Figure 1: Integration con-


tour in Eq. (8)

× i
x
−R C3 0 C1 R

This transforms Eq. (3) into


Z∞
u 2z−1
Γ (z) Γ (1 − z) = 2 du. (6)
1 + u2
0

To evaluate the integral in Eq. (6),


Z∞
u 2z−1
I= du, (7)
1 + u2
0

consider the contour in the complex plane sketched in Fig. 1; we assume that R → ∞.

w2z−1
I
J= dw. (8)
1 + w2
C1 +C2 +C3

On the one hand, the integrand in Eq. (8) has a single simple pole inside the contour, at
π
w = i = ei 2 . Thus,

w2z−1 w2z−1
!
1
i π2
J = 2πi Res 2
, w = e = 2πi = π eiπ(z− 2 ) = −iπ eiπz . (9)
1+w 2w w=ei π2

On the other hand,


Z 2z−1 Z 2z−1 Z 2z−1
w w w
J= 2
dw + 2
dw + dw = J1 + J2 + J3 . (10)
1+w 1+w 1 + w2
C1 C2 C3

Page 2 of 5
PHYS 2400 Reflection formula for Gamma function Spring semester 2024

Furthermore,
Z∞
w2z−1 u 2z−1
Z
J1 = dw = du = I. (11)
1 + w2 1 + u2
C1 0

J2 = 0. (12)
On the contour C3 , w = reiπ , where r is a positive real variable changing from ∞ to 0.
Z0 Z∞
eiπ(2z−1) r 2z−1 iπ r 2z−1
J3 = e dr = −e2iπz dr = −e2iπz I. (13)
1 + r2 1 + r2
∞ 0

From Eqs. (9)–(13),  


I 1 − e2iπz = −iπ eiπz , (14)
iπ π
I= = . (15)
eiπz − e−iπz 2 sin(πz)
Finally,
π
Γ (z) Γ (1 − z) = 2I = . (16)
sin(πz)

Raabe’s formula and Euler’s log-sine integral


We now use the reflection formula to evaluate the integral
Z1
IR = ln (Γ (x)) dx, (17)
0

which is called the Raabe’s integral.


We take the logarithm from both sides of Eq. (16) and integrate the result with respect to z
from 0 to 1.
Z1 Z1 Z1
ln (Γ (x)) dx + ln (Γ (1 − x)) dx = ln π − ln (sin(πx)) dx. (18)
0 0 0

The second integral in the left hand side of Eq. (18) is equal to the first one:
Z1 Z0 Z1
ln (Γ (1 − x)) dx = − ln (Γ (t)) dt = ln (Γ (t)) dt = IR (19)
0 1 0

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PHYS 2400 Reflection formula for Gamma function Spring semester 2024

where we introduced in Eq. (19) a new integration variable t = 1 − x, 1 ≥ t ≥ 0, dx = −dt,


and next swapped the integration limits.
We change the integration variable in the integral on the right of Eq. (18):

s = πx, ds = πdx, 0 ≤ s ≤ π,

Z1 Zπ
1
ln (sin(πx)) dx = ln (sin(s)) ds. (20)
π
0 0
Combining Eqs. (18)–(20), we obtain:

Zπ
1 1
IR = ln(π) − ln (sin(x)) dx (21)
2 2π
0

The integral in the right hand side of Eq. (21),

Zπ
Ils = ln (sin(s)) ds, (22)
0

is known as Euler’s log-sine integral. It was first evaluated by Euler (published in 1769).
Later in the course we evaluate the integral Eq. (22) using the contour integration. For
now we resort to the following trick.
First, we change the integration range as following:
π/2
Z
Ils = 2 ln (sin(s)) ds. (23)
0

Next, notice that


π/2
Z π/2
Z
ln (sin(s)) ds = ln (cos(s)) ds. (24)
0 0
Thus,
π/2
Z π/2
Z π/2
Z
Ils = ln (sin(s)) ds + ln (cos(s)) ds = ln (sin(s) cos(s)) ds. (25)
0 0 0

Page 4 of 5
PHYS 2400 Reflection formula for Gamma function Spring semester 2024

Using the trigonometric identity

1
sin(s) cos(s) = sin(2s),
2
that is
ln (sin(s) cos(s)) = − ln 2 + ln (sin(2s)) , (26)
we get from Eq. (25):
π/2
Z Zπ
π π 1 π 1
Ils = − ln 2 + ln (sin(2s)) ds = − ln 2 + ln (sin(t)) dt = − ln 2 + Ils . (27)
2 2 2 2 2
0 0

Finally,
Zπ
Ils = ln (sin(t)) dt = −π ln 2. (28)
0

Returning to the Raabe’s integral, Eq. (21), we have

Z1
1 1 1 1 1
ln (Γ (x)) dx = ln(π) − Ils = ln(π) + ln 2 = ln(2π). (29)
2 2π 2 2 2
0

Page 5 of 5

Common questions

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Evaluating integrals related to the gamma function uncovers essential relationships and symmetries in complex analysis, such as the reflection and functional equations. These evaluations, using techniques like contour integration and symmetry exploitations, help in deriving key properties and identities, further enhancing our understanding of the gamma function's behavior in different analytic contexts .

The transformation of variables is crucial because it simplifies the integral into a form that can be integrated more easily. In Euler's reflection formula, the substitution u² = t/(1−t) converts the complex integral into a standard form, enabling easier computation and aiding in the simplification of the reflection formula .

Euler's reflection formula simplifies expressions involving complex integrals by converting polygamma and sine functions into manageable forms. This formula is integral in mathematical physics for tackling integrals that arise in series expansions and special function evaluations, enhancing the analytical tractability of problems that require profound comprehension of function interpolation and transformation techniques .

By changing the integration range and employing trigonometric identities, we simplify Euler's log-sine integral. First, the integral range is halved, then using the identity sin(s) cos(s) = 1/2 sin(2s), the expression is transformed to involve a single sine term. This manipulation leads to Ils = −π ln 2, which simplifies the evaluation of the log-sine integral significantly .

The derivation of Euler's reflection formula through the beta function involves substituting variables and employing symmetry. By setting x = z and y = 1−z in the beta function and recognizing Γ(1) = 1, the problem is transformed into a standard integral over t. These transformations simplify the integral into one involving sine, ultimately leading to the reflection formula Γ(z)Γ(1−z) = π/sin(πz).

Symmetry and contour integration allow the evaluation of complex integrals by examining the behavior of functions around poles and using the properties of symmetry to simplify calculations. For instance, the identity Γ(z)Γ(1−z) = π/sin(πz) leverages symmetry between Γ(z) and Γ(1−z) to simplify expressions associated with the gamma function into known trigonometric forms .

Integration limit swaps and variable transformations are pivotal in proving identities like Raabe's formula by enabling the re-expression of complex integrals into simpler or symmetrical forms. In Raabe's formula, changing variables from x to 1−x and manipulating trigonometric identities allowed the reflection symmetry to be applied effectively, simplifying complex logarithmic integrals to arrive at concise expressions such as IR = 1/2 ln(2π).

The derivation involves evaluating integrals using the reflection formula. By manipulating variables and employing logarithmic identities, the expressions for ln(Γ(x)) and ln(Γ(1−x)) are assessed alongside the integral of ln(sin(πx)). Symmetries and identical integral evaluations simplify these expressions to yield IR = 1/2 ln(2π), linking Raabe’s integral to known constants .

Euler's reflection formula, which states Γ(z)Γ(1−z) = π/sin(πz), plays a crucial role in evaluating integrals associated with the gamma function by simplifying complex expressions into manageable forms. For instance, it is used to express the integral IR as a function of the log-sine integral, which simplifies to 1/2 ln(2π) after exploiting symmetry and integral transformations .

Residues are used to evaluate the contour integral by identifying poles within the contour. In the reflection formula, the pole at w = i is analyzed using the residue theorem, allowing the simplification of the contour integral into expressions involving π and complex exponentials. This technique facilitates the calculation of otherwise complicated integrals in the complex plane .

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