(definition)
Definition: For large values of n, (n/e)n √(2nπ) < n! < (n/e)n(1 + 1/(12n-1)) √(2nπ).
See also Stirling's approximation, factorial, gamma function.
Note: After CRC Standard Mathematical Tables, Fourteenth Edition, Samuel M. Selby, ed., page 433, 1965.
Author: PEB
Peter Luschny lists and evaluates many approximation formulas for n!. See Eric W. Weisstein, Stirling's Approximation for a derivation and other approximations.
If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul E. Black.
Entry modified 10 November 2008.
HTML page formatted Tue Dec 6 16:16:33 2011.
Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "Stirling's formula", in
Dictionary of Algorithms and Data
Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed.,
U.S. National Institute of
Standards and Technology. 10 November 2008. (accessed TODAY)
Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/stirlingsFormula.html
