+0  
 
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1396
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avatar+271 

How do we calculate the factorial of a decimal? :-?

 Apr 7, 2015

Best Answer 

 #3
avatar+118687 
+10

Mmm   Thanks Pyramid, that is a really good question.  One that I will have problems answering but here goes :)

 

If you graph y=x!    (where x is a integer greater or equal to zero) you get a graph of points. 

If you draw a smooth curve between these points so that the graph is continuous then you will have all positive values of x (x>=1) and all values of y (y>=1) included. 

So now you can read 2.4! off the graph. 

 

The gamma functions has values outside this domain as well but i don't understand it well enough to explain those.

 

I don't think my explanation is very accurate.  But it probably gives you as much of an idea as I possess. :)

There is of course a proper formula for n! where n is not an integer but I am not going there. :/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_function

 

Any better explanation will be gratefully received.   :)

 Apr 7, 2015
 #1
avatar+23252 
+5

Use gamma functions. This site http://mhtlab.uwaterloo.ca/courses/me755/web_chap1.pdf has an explanation, starting on page 7.

 Apr 7, 2015
 #2
avatar+271 
+5

What does it really mean?

 Apr 7, 2015
 #3
avatar+118687 
+10
Best Answer

Mmm   Thanks Pyramid, that is a really good question.  One that I will have problems answering but here goes :)

 

If you graph y=x!    (where x is a integer greater or equal to zero) you get a graph of points. 

If you draw a smooth curve between these points so that the graph is continuous then you will have all positive values of x (x>=1) and all values of y (y>=1) included. 

So now you can read 2.4! off the graph. 

 

The gamma functions has values outside this domain as well but i don't understand it well enough to explain those.

 

I don't think my explanation is very accurate.  But it probably gives you as much of an idea as I possess. :)

There is of course a proper formula for n! where n is not an integer but I am not going there. :/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_function

 

Any better explanation will be gratefully received.   :)

Melody Apr 7, 2015

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