what is (1/2)!
The Beautiful Gamma Function and the Genius Who Discovered It What is the factorial of 1/2? Kasper Muller redrik What is your favorite function? If your answer is not the gamma function, then I’ll ask you again after you have read this article. Your answer might have changed… Introduction In the late 1720s, Leonhard Euler was thinking about how to extend the factorial to non-integer values. This was the start of a rich theory used all over the scientific world. A theory of one of the most important functions in mathematics. Leonhard Euler is, without doubt, one of the greatest mathematicians in history. To give you an idea of Euler’s powers here follows some examples that show his brilliance. First of all, Euler had an outstanding memory! He was able to recite Virgil’s Aeneid from beginning to end, detailing in what line every page of the edition he owned began and ended. To give you some context, the Aeneid comprises a total of 9,896 lines! Euler was also extremel