ERIC Number: EJ681887
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Jan
Pages: 8
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0020-739X
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Available Date: N/A
Another Intuitive Approach to Stirling's Formula. Classroom Notes
Osler, Thomas J.
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, v35 n1 p111-118 Jan 2004
An intuitive derivation of Stirling's formula is presented, together with a modification that greatly improves its accuracy. The derivation is based on the closed form evaluation of the gamma function at an integer plus one-half. The modification is easily implemented on a hand-held calculator and often triples the number of significant digits calculated. While the modification is not new, it does not seem to have the exposure it deserves.
Descriptors: Mathematics Instruction, Graphing Calculators, Mathematical Formulas, Intuition, Teaching Methods
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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