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[parent] Euler reflection formula (Theorem)
Theorem 1 (Euler Reflection Formula)   $$\Gamma(x)\Gamma(1-x)=\frac{\pi}{\sin(\pi x)}$$

Proof: We have $$\frac{1}{\Gamma(x)}=xe^{\gamma x}\prod_{n=1}^{\infty} \left(\left(1+\frac{x}{n}\right)e^{-x/n}\right)$$ and thus $$\frac{1}{\Gamma(x)}\frac{1}{\Gamma(-x)}=-x^2e^{\gamma x}e^{-\gamma x}\prod_{n=1}^{\infty} \left(\left(1+\frac{x}{n}\right)e^{-x/n}\right)\left(\left(1-\frac{x}{n}\right)e^{x/n}\right)=-x^2\prod_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(1-\frac{x^2}{n^2}\right)$$ But $\Gamma(1-x)=-x\Gamma(-x)$ and thus $$\frac{1}{\Gamma(x)}\frac{1}{\Gamma(1-x)}=x\prod_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(1-\frac{x^2}{n^2}\right)$$ Now, using the formula for $\sin x/x$ we have $$\sin(\pi x)=\pi x\prod_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(1-\frac{x^2}{n^2}\right)$$ so that $$\frac{1}{\Gamma(x)}\frac{1}{\Gamma(1-x)}=\frac{\sin(\pi x)}{\pi}$$ and the result follows.




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This is version 2 of Euler reflection formula, born on 2006-11-11, modified 2006-11-12.
Object id is 8539, canonical name is EulerReflectionFormula.
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Classification:
AMS MSC33B15 (Special functions :: Elementary classical functions :: Gamma, beta and polygamma functions)
 30D30 (Functions of a complex variable :: Entire and meromorphic functions, and related topics :: Meromorphic functions, general theory)

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