[Math] Why is $\Gamma\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=\sqrt{\pi}$

analysisgamma functionspecial functions

It seems as if no one has asked this here before, unless I don't know how to search.

The Gamma function is
$$
\Gamma(\alpha)=\int_0^\infty x^{\alpha-1} e^{-x}\,dx.
$$

Why is
$$
\Gamma\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=\sqrt{\pi}\text{ ?}
$$

(I'll post my own answer, but I know there are many ways to show this, so post your own!)

Best Answer

We only need Euler's formula:

$$\Gamma(1-z) \Gamma(z) = \frac{\pi}{\sin \pi z} \Longrightarrow \Gamma^2\left(\frac{1}{2}\right ) = \pi $$

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