# Proving $\Gamma (\frac{1}{2}) = \sqrt{\pi}$

There are already proofs out there, however, the problem I am working on requires doing the proof by using the gamma function with $y = \sqrt{2x}$ to show that $\Gamma(\frac{1}{2}) = \sqrt{\pi}$.

Here is what I have so far: $\Gamma(\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\beta}}\int_{0}^{\infty}x^{-\frac{1}{2}}e^{-\frac{x}{\beta}}dx.$ Substituting $x = \frac{y^2}{2}, dx = ydy$, we get $\Gamma(\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{\beta}}\int_{0}^{\infty}e^{-\frac{y^2}{2\beta}}dy$.

At this point, the book pulled some trick that I don't understand.

Can anyone explain to me what the book did above? Thanks.

• What is $\beta?$ – Thomas Andrews Oct 19 '15 at 1:16
• Its a parameter in Gamma distribution function. I think it is the mean time between events. – Ansdai Oct 19 '15 at 1:19

The key point is just that, through a change of variable in the integral defining the $\Gamma$ function: $$\Gamma\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) = \int_{-\infty}^{+\infty}e^{-x^2}\,dx$$ but the integral in the RHS is well-known, it can be computed by using Fubini's theorem and polar coordinates. An alternative proof: $$\int_{0}^{1}\sqrt{1-x^2}\,dx = \frac{\pi}{4}$$ since the LHS is the area of a quarter-circle. If we set $x=\sqrt{z}$ we have: $$\frac{1}{2}\int_{0}^{1}z^{-1/2}(1-z)^{1/2}\,dz = \frac{1}{2}\,B\left(\frac{1}{2},\frac{3}{2}\right) = \frac{\Gamma\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2}{4}$$ by the properties of the Euler beta function and the identity $\Gamma(\alpha+1)=\alpha\,\Gamma(\alpha)$.