Go back
factorials

factorials

Posers and Puzzles

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

this may be a silly question, but how can a calculator find a factorial? mine gave me 1.5!=1.329340388...so, yeah...

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by genius
this may be a silly question, but how can a calculator find a factorial? mine gave me 1.5!=1.329340388...so, yeah...
It probably evaluates the integral of exp(-x)*x^1.5 between x=0 and some very large number.

Clock
Vote Up
Vote Down

Perhaps it takes the value of the Euler Gama function that extends the "factorial" for all real numbers and for the natural numbers it satisfies the equality:
G(n+1) = n!

Take a look here, where it is explained more thoroughly:
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/GammaFunction.html

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.