# Transcendence of Values of Beta Function

Wikipedia mentions that the number $$a = \dfrac{\Gamma\left(\dfrac{1}{4}\right)}{\pi^{1/4}}$$ is transcendental. Since $\Gamma(1/2) = \sqrt{\pi}$ the above number $a$ seems to connected to a combination of $\Gamma(1/4)$ and $\Gamma(1/2)$. On squaring the connection is clear as we can see that $$a^{2} = \frac{\Gamma^{2}(1/4)}{\Gamma(1/2)} = B(1/4, 1/4)$$ where $B$ represents the beta function.

Are there any other known values of beta function which are transcendental? Any reference to a proof of the transcendence of number $a$ given above would also be helpful.

• To mention the obvious: It is clear from the reflection formula that at least one of $q!$ or $(-q)!$ is transcendental, for $q\in\mathbb Q$. – Lucian Jun 28 '15 at 11:01
• @Lucian: Nice remark to deal with certain values of $\Gamma$. – Paramanand Singh Jun 28 '15 at 11:09

Theorem. Let $a$ and $b$ be rational numbers which are not integers and such that $a+b$ is not an integer. Then the number $$B(a,b) = \frac{\Gamma(a)\Gamma(b)}{\Gamma(a+b)}=\int_{0}^{1}u^{a-1}(1-u)^{b-1} \,du$$ is transcendental.
For example, $$\frac{\Gamma\!\left(\dfrac{1}{3}\right)}{\pi^{1/3}}\quad \text{and}\quad \frac{\Gamma\!\left(\dfrac{1}{3}\right)}{\pi^{2/3}}$$ are transcendental (see here).