# Math Help - Gamma expansion

1. ## Gamma expansion

I know that:

$
c(n) = \sqrt{\frac{2}{n}}\ \frac{\Gamma(\frac{n}{2})}{\Gamma(\frac{n-1}{2})} =
1 - \frac{3}{4n} + O(n^{-2})
$

and also that:

$
\sqrt{\frac{n}{n-1}}\ c(n) = \sqrt{\frac{n}{n-1}}\ (1 - \frac{3}{4n} + O(n^{-2})) = (1 - \frac{1}{4n} + O(n^{-2}))
$

Problem is: I am not able to prove the very last equality. That's all what I need.

Seeking directions/help. Thanks a bunch!

2. Hello,

$\displaystyle \sqrt{\frac{n}{n-1}}=\sqrt{\frac{1}{1-\frac 1n}}$

write the expansion for $\displaystyle \frac{1}{1-\frac 1n}$ (you know, the beginning of the Taylor series... I don't remember what's the exact name)
and then for the square root, consider it as power 1/2 and make another expansion ( $(1+x)^a=...$)

3. Thanks, good idea but it seems it does not work (unless major mistakes):

Let u = 1/n. Then:

$
\left(\frac{1}{1-u}\right)^{1/2} = \left(\sum_{j=0}^\infty u^j\right)^{1/2} = (1 + 1/n + O(n^{-2})\ )^{1/2}
$

Let $x = (1/n + O(n^{-2}))$ Then:

$
\sqrt{1+x} = 1 + \frac{1}{2}x + O(x^2) = 1 + \frac{1}{2n} + O(n^{-2})
$

Which means, the second term of the resulting series is the incorrect +1/(2n) instead of the wanted -1/(4n).

4. And what if you compute $\displaystyle \left(1+\frac{1}{2n}+O(n^{-2})\right)\left(1-\frac{3}{4n}+O(n^{-2})\right)$ ?

5. ...thanks...