$frac{1}{15}<(frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdot cdot cdot cdotfrac{99}{100})<frac{1}{10}$.











up vote
6
down vote

favorite
3












Show that
$$frac{1}{15}<(frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdot cdot cdotcdotfrac{99}{100})<frac{1}{10}$$



My attempt:
This problem is from a text book where is introduced as: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generalized_mean
This wouldn't be a problem if I knew the sum or a product of the given numbers. Then I will use AG inequality, but I don't know how.










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  • 3




    Related
    – Kemono Chen
    Nov 19 at 9:44






  • 2




    But this question is still worth answering because there is a method showing $frac2{3sqrt n}<frac12cdotfrac34cdotsfrac{(2n-1)}{2n}<frac1{sqrt n}$ and it's not suitable for that question (unfortunately I forgot that) :(
    – Kemono Chen
    Nov 19 at 9:59






  • 2




    @KemonoChen I think the correct inequality should be $$frac{2}{3sqrt{2n}}<frac12cdotfrac34cdotldotscdotfrac{2n-1}{2n}<frac{1}{sqrt{2n}},.$$ Otherwise, the left-hand side inequality is not even true for $n=1$ (and it is never true), while the right-hand side inequality is very weak.
    – Batominovski
    Nov 19 at 10:37








  • 3




    $$frac{1}{4^n}binom{2n}{n}approx frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac{1}{4}right)}}.$$
    – Jack D'Aurizio
    Nov 19 at 14:29








  • 2




    I found that $$frac{1}{sqrt{pi left(n+frac12right)}}<prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac{1}{sqrt{pi n}}$$ with @JackD'Aurizio's estimate being extremely close. For $n=50$, the required product is between $0.07939248$ and $0.07979788$, with Jack's estimate being $0.07958972$. The actual value is $0.07958923$.
    – Zvi
    Nov 19 at 14:46

















up vote
6
down vote

favorite
3












Show that
$$frac{1}{15}<(frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdot cdot cdotcdotfrac{99}{100})<frac{1}{10}$$



My attempt:
This problem is from a text book where is introduced as: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generalized_mean
This wouldn't be a problem if I knew the sum or a product of the given numbers. Then I will use AG inequality, but I don't know how.










share|cite|improve this question




















  • 3




    Related
    – Kemono Chen
    Nov 19 at 9:44






  • 2




    But this question is still worth answering because there is a method showing $frac2{3sqrt n}<frac12cdotfrac34cdotsfrac{(2n-1)}{2n}<frac1{sqrt n}$ and it's not suitable for that question (unfortunately I forgot that) :(
    – Kemono Chen
    Nov 19 at 9:59






  • 2




    @KemonoChen I think the correct inequality should be $$frac{2}{3sqrt{2n}}<frac12cdotfrac34cdotldotscdotfrac{2n-1}{2n}<frac{1}{sqrt{2n}},.$$ Otherwise, the left-hand side inequality is not even true for $n=1$ (and it is never true), while the right-hand side inequality is very weak.
    – Batominovski
    Nov 19 at 10:37








  • 3




    $$frac{1}{4^n}binom{2n}{n}approx frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac{1}{4}right)}}.$$
    – Jack D'Aurizio
    Nov 19 at 14:29








  • 2




    I found that $$frac{1}{sqrt{pi left(n+frac12right)}}<prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac{1}{sqrt{pi n}}$$ with @JackD'Aurizio's estimate being extremely close. For $n=50$, the required product is between $0.07939248$ and $0.07979788$, with Jack's estimate being $0.07958972$. The actual value is $0.07958923$.
    – Zvi
    Nov 19 at 14:46















up vote
6
down vote

favorite
3









up vote
6
down vote

favorite
3






3





Show that
$$frac{1}{15}<(frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdot cdot cdotcdotfrac{99}{100})<frac{1}{10}$$



My attempt:
This problem is from a text book where is introduced as: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generalized_mean
This wouldn't be a problem if I knew the sum or a product of the given numbers. Then I will use AG inequality, but I don't know how.










share|cite|improve this question















Show that
$$frac{1}{15}<(frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdot cdot cdotcdotfrac{99}{100})<frac{1}{10}$$



My attempt:
This problem is from a text book where is introduced as: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generalized_mean
This wouldn't be a problem if I knew the sum or a product of the given numbers. Then I will use AG inequality, but I don't know how.







inequality






share|cite|improve this question















share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited Nov 19 at 15:36









dmtri

1,2501521




1,2501521










asked Nov 19 at 9:19









Lovro Sindičić

264216




264216








  • 3




    Related
    – Kemono Chen
    Nov 19 at 9:44






  • 2




    But this question is still worth answering because there is a method showing $frac2{3sqrt n}<frac12cdotfrac34cdotsfrac{(2n-1)}{2n}<frac1{sqrt n}$ and it's not suitable for that question (unfortunately I forgot that) :(
    – Kemono Chen
    Nov 19 at 9:59






  • 2




    @KemonoChen I think the correct inequality should be $$frac{2}{3sqrt{2n}}<frac12cdotfrac34cdotldotscdotfrac{2n-1}{2n}<frac{1}{sqrt{2n}},.$$ Otherwise, the left-hand side inequality is not even true for $n=1$ (and it is never true), while the right-hand side inequality is very weak.
    – Batominovski
    Nov 19 at 10:37








  • 3




    $$frac{1}{4^n}binom{2n}{n}approx frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac{1}{4}right)}}.$$
    – Jack D'Aurizio
    Nov 19 at 14:29








  • 2




    I found that $$frac{1}{sqrt{pi left(n+frac12right)}}<prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac{1}{sqrt{pi n}}$$ with @JackD'Aurizio's estimate being extremely close. For $n=50$, the required product is between $0.07939248$ and $0.07979788$, with Jack's estimate being $0.07958972$. The actual value is $0.07958923$.
    – Zvi
    Nov 19 at 14:46
















  • 3




    Related
    – Kemono Chen
    Nov 19 at 9:44






  • 2




    But this question is still worth answering because there is a method showing $frac2{3sqrt n}<frac12cdotfrac34cdotsfrac{(2n-1)}{2n}<frac1{sqrt n}$ and it's not suitable for that question (unfortunately I forgot that) :(
    – Kemono Chen
    Nov 19 at 9:59






  • 2




    @KemonoChen I think the correct inequality should be $$frac{2}{3sqrt{2n}}<frac12cdotfrac34cdotldotscdotfrac{2n-1}{2n}<frac{1}{sqrt{2n}},.$$ Otherwise, the left-hand side inequality is not even true for $n=1$ (and it is never true), while the right-hand side inequality is very weak.
    – Batominovski
    Nov 19 at 10:37








  • 3




    $$frac{1}{4^n}binom{2n}{n}approx frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac{1}{4}right)}}.$$
    – Jack D'Aurizio
    Nov 19 at 14:29








  • 2




    I found that $$frac{1}{sqrt{pi left(n+frac12right)}}<prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac{1}{sqrt{pi n}}$$ with @JackD'Aurizio's estimate being extremely close. For $n=50$, the required product is between $0.07939248$ and $0.07979788$, with Jack's estimate being $0.07958972$. The actual value is $0.07958923$.
    – Zvi
    Nov 19 at 14:46










3




3




Related
– Kemono Chen
Nov 19 at 9:44




Related
– Kemono Chen
Nov 19 at 9:44




2




2




But this question is still worth answering because there is a method showing $frac2{3sqrt n}<frac12cdotfrac34cdotsfrac{(2n-1)}{2n}<frac1{sqrt n}$ and it's not suitable for that question (unfortunately I forgot that) :(
– Kemono Chen
Nov 19 at 9:59




But this question is still worth answering because there is a method showing $frac2{3sqrt n}<frac12cdotfrac34cdotsfrac{(2n-1)}{2n}<frac1{sqrt n}$ and it's not suitable for that question (unfortunately I forgot that) :(
– Kemono Chen
Nov 19 at 9:59




2




2




@KemonoChen I think the correct inequality should be $$frac{2}{3sqrt{2n}}<frac12cdotfrac34cdotldotscdotfrac{2n-1}{2n}<frac{1}{sqrt{2n}},.$$ Otherwise, the left-hand side inequality is not even true for $n=1$ (and it is never true), while the right-hand side inequality is very weak.
– Batominovski
Nov 19 at 10:37






@KemonoChen I think the correct inequality should be $$frac{2}{3sqrt{2n}}<frac12cdotfrac34cdotldotscdotfrac{2n-1}{2n}<frac{1}{sqrt{2n}},.$$ Otherwise, the left-hand side inequality is not even true for $n=1$ (and it is never true), while the right-hand side inequality is very weak.
– Batominovski
Nov 19 at 10:37






3




3




$$frac{1}{4^n}binom{2n}{n}approx frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac{1}{4}right)}}.$$
– Jack D'Aurizio
Nov 19 at 14:29






$$frac{1}{4^n}binom{2n}{n}approx frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac{1}{4}right)}}.$$
– Jack D'Aurizio
Nov 19 at 14:29






2




2




I found that $$frac{1}{sqrt{pi left(n+frac12right)}}<prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac{1}{sqrt{pi n}}$$ with @JackD'Aurizio's estimate being extremely close. For $n=50$, the required product is between $0.07939248$ and $0.07979788$, with Jack's estimate being $0.07958972$. The actual value is $0.07958923$.
– Zvi
Nov 19 at 14:46






I found that $$frac{1}{sqrt{pi left(n+frac12right)}}<prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac{1}{sqrt{pi n}}$$ with @JackD'Aurizio's estimate being extremely close. For $n=50$, the required product is between $0.07939248$ and $0.07979788$, with Jack's estimate being $0.07958972$. The actual value is $0.07958923$.
– Zvi
Nov 19 at 14:46












5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
4
down vote













Let $P_n:=prodlimits_{k=1}^n,dfrac{2k-1}{2k}$ for each integer $ngeq 1$. We shall prove that $$frac{2}{3sqrt{2n}}<P_n<frac{1}{sqrt{2n}}tag{*}$$
for every positive integer $n$, as suggested by Kemono Chen (I think there should be a factor $dfrac{1}{sqrt{2}}$ there so that (*) implies the OP's inequality for $n=50$). The asymptotic behavior of $P_n$ is given here.



Observe that
$$P_n^2leq frac{1}{2^2},left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-1}{2k}right),left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k}{2k+1}right)=frac{1}{4},prod_{k=3}^{2n},frac{k}{k+1}=frac{3}{4(2n+1)}.$$
In addition,
$$P_n^2geq frac{1}{2^2},left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-1}{2k}right),left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-2}{2k-1}right)=frac{1}{4},prod_{k=2}^{2n-1},frac{k}{k+1}=frac{2}{4(2n)},.$$
This shows that
$$frac{1}{2,sqrt{n}}leq P_nleq frac{sqrt{3}}{2,sqrt{2n+1}},.$$
Both the inequality on the right and the inequality on the left have a unique equality case: $n=1$. Note that this implies (*). In particular, for $n=50$, we have
$$frac{1}{15}<0.0707<frac{1}{2cdotsqrt{50}}<P_{50}<frac{sqrt{3}}{2cdot sqrt{101}}<0.0862<frac{1}{10},.$$






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    up vote
    4
    down vote













    Let $S_n=prod_{k=1}^nfrac{2k-1}{2k}$. From Wallis' product, we have
    $$prod_{k=1}^inftyleft(frac{2k}{2k-1}cdotfrac{2k}{2k+1}right)=frac{pi}{2}.$$
    Since each term in the product above is greater than $1$, this shows that
    $$prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k}{2k-1}cdotfrac{2k}{2k+1}right)<frac{pi}{2}$$
    for all $n$. That is,
    $$(2n+1)S_n^2=(2n+1)prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)^2=prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}cdotfrac{2k+1}{2k}right)>frac{2}{pi}.$$
    Therefore,
    $$S_n>frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac12right)}}.$$



    Similarly, Wallis' product also implies that
    $$prod_{k=2}^inftyleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)=frac{4}{pi}.$$
    Since each term in the product above is greater than $1$, this shows that
    $$prod_{k=2}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac{4}{pi}$$
    for all $n$. That is,
    $$2nS_n^2=2nprod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)^2=frac12prod_{k=2}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac12left(frac{4}{pi}right).$$
    Therefore,
    $$S_n<frac{1}{sqrt{pi n}}.$$ Hence,
    $$frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac12right)}}<S_n<frac1{sqrt{pi n}}$$
    for every $n$.



    enter image description here



    enter image description here






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      up vote
      2
      down vote













      Let $a=frac{1}{2}.frac{3}{4}.frac{5}{6}. . . .frac{99}{100}$



      and:



      $b=frac{2}{3}.frac{4}{5}.frac{6}{7}. . . frac{100}{101}$



      It is clear that $a<b$ because each factor of $a$ is less than its corresponding factor in $b$ :



      $frac{1}{2}<frac{2}{3}, frac{3}{4}<frac{4}{5}. . . frac{99}{100}<frac{100}{101}$



      $a^2 < ab=(frac{1}{2}.frac{2}{3}).(frac{3}{4}.frac{4}{5}). . . .(frac{99}{100}.frac{100}{101})=frac{1}{101}$



      $a^2<frac{1}{101}$$a<frac{1}{sqrt{101}}<frac{1}{10}$



      Also:



      $2a=frac{3}{4}.frac{5}{6}. . . .frac{99}{100}$



      $frac{3}{2}.b=frac{4}{5}.frac{6}{7}. . . frac{100}{101}$



      $2a<frac{3}{2}b$$2a^2<frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}.frac{3}{101}$



      Or $a^2<frac{3}{4}ab=frac{3}{4}.frac{3}{101}$



      Since $9>4$ then $a^2 >frac{4}{9times 101}$ and therefore:



      $a>frac{1}{15}$



      A more reliable reasoning is given as a comment for this part:



      $2a>b$$2a^2>ab=frac{1}{101}$$a^2>frac{1}{202}$$a>frac{1}{sqrt{202}}>frac{1}{sqrt{225}}=frac{1}{15}$






      share|cite|improve this answer



















      • 2




        I've lost count of how many times I've read the last line, and I still can't understand: (i) how you get $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$, when surely it should be $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{1}{101}$; (ii) how you get from $2a^2<frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$ to $a^2>frac{4}{9times101}$, when surely it should be $frac{1}{a^2}>frac{4times101}{9}$; or (iii) generally, how a lower bound for $a$ could possibly be obtained from an upper bound for $a$! (My reading comprehension sometimes goes on the blink, so, in view of the upvotes, I guess it must have happened again!)
        – Calum Gilhooley
        Nov 20 at 1:44










      • In the line $a^2<ab=...$ just eliminate the first term , because it is moved to LHS as 2a and (3/2)ab.
        – sirous
        Nov 20 at 5:26






      • 3




        @CalumGilhooley I have the same problem. But one could reason as follows: $$2a = frac{3}{4}cdot frac{5}{6} cdots frac{99}{100} color{blue}{cdot 1} > frac{2}{3}cdot frac{4}{5} cdots frac{100}{101} = b$$ $$Rightarrow 2a^2 > ab = frac{1}{101} Rightarrow a > frac{1}{sqrt{202}} > frac{1}{sqrt{225}} = frac{1}{15}$$
        – trancelocation
        Nov 20 at 7:27












      • @sirous I imagine your reply, which I couldn't understand, was meant to be an explanation of $2a<frac{3}{2}b$, which wasn't any of the three things I was asking about, and which was one of the only two parts of the last line that I didn't need to have explained! In contrast, trancelocation's reply made perfect sense.
        – Calum Gilhooley
        Nov 20 at 8:17










      • @CalumGilhooley, I edited my answer for more clarification. The reasoning of -trancelocation is also good.
        – sirous
        Nov 20 at 15:24


















      up vote
      0
      down vote













      Just a thought, that may be worth mentioning:



      The expression:



      $$p=(frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdot cdot cdotcdotfrac{99}{100})$$



      We could use the following identities:



      Product of $n$ odd numbers =



      $$p_o = frac{(2n!)}{(n!)2^{n}}$$



      Product of $n$ even numbers =



      $$p_e = (n!)2^{n}$$



      The first $4$ terms of $p$ =



      $$frac{1.3.5.7}{2.4.6.8}=frac{105}{1152}=0.2734$$



      We may write $p$ as:



      $$p=frac{odd_numbers}{even_numbers}=frac{p_o}{p_e}=$$



      $$p=frac{(2n)!}{((n!)2^{n})^2}$$



      To prove $p<frac{1}{10}$, we know that (2n)! < n! (for n>1), so we can write:



      $$p<frac{(n!)}{((n!)2^{n})^2}$$



      $$p<frac{1}{(n!)({n})^2}$$



      We could conclude that, for $n >=2$



      $$p<frac{1}{10}$$



      for the lower bound, any of the other solution presented may be considered or check stovf-math p between 1/13 and 1/15 may also be considered.






      share|cite|improve this answer






























        up vote
        0
        down vote













        This is tedious and unsophisticated, but don't knock it, it works! :)



        As well as answering the present question, it also answers the linked question, prove $frac{1}{13}<frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdotsfrac{99}{100}<frac{1}{12}$.



        We need a preliminary lemma:




        If
        $$
        k = left(1 - frac{1}{52^2}right)left(1 - frac{1}{56^2}right)cdotsleft(1 - frac{1}{96^2}right),
        $$

        then
        $$
        frac{383}{384} < k < frac{1300}{1303}.
        $$

        Rounding up and down, as appropriate, this is approximately
        $$
        0.997395 < k < 0.997698,
        $$

        but of course we avoid using such calculations.




        Proof. By the Weierstrass product inequality, we have
        $$
        1 - s < k < frac{1}{1 + s},
        $$

        where
        $$
        s = frac{1}{52^2} + frac{1}{56^2} + cdots + frac{1}{96^2} =
        frac{1}{16}left(frac{1}{13^2} + frac{1}{14^2} + cdots + frac{1}{24^2}right).
        $$

        Telescoping,
        begin{align*}
        16s & <
        frac{1}{12cdot13} + frac{1}{13cdot14} + cdots + frac{1}{23cdot24}
        = frac{1}{24}, \
        16s & >
        frac{1}{13cdot14} + frac{1}{14cdot15} + cdots + frac{1}{24cdot25}
        = frac{12}{325},
        end{align*}

        therefore
        $$
        1 - frac{1}{384} < k < frac{1}{1 + frac{3}{1300}},
        $$

        as required. $square$



        The number we wish to approximate is
        $$
        P = frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdotsfrac{99}{100}
        = frac{51cdot53cdot55cdots97cdot99}{2^{25}cdot4cdot8cdot12cdots96cdot100}
        = kQ,
        $$

        where
        begin{gather*}
        Q = frac{52^2cdot56^2cdots96^2cdot99}{2^{75}cdot25!}
        = frac{13cdot14cdots24cdot99}{2^{27}cdot12!cdot25}
        = frac{13cdot15cdot17cdot19cdot21cdot23cdot99}{2^{21}cdot6!cdot25} \
        = frac{7cdot13cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot99}{2^{25}cdot25}.
        end{gather*}

        Therefore, using the bounds obtained for $k$ in the lemma,
        begin{equation}
        tag{$1$}label{ineq:1}
        frac{7cdot13cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot33cdot383}{2^{32}cdot25}
        < P <
        frac{7cdot13^2cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot99}{2^{23}cdot1303}.
        end{equation}

        Although this is well within the range of easy hand calculation, I lazily used a calculator for most of the work (only doubling $2^{22}cdot1303 = 5{,}465{,}178{,}112$ at the last stage by hand), to get
        begin{equation}
        tag{$2$}label{ineq:2}
        frac{8{,}544{,}456{,}921}{107{,}374{,}182{,}400} < P < frac{870{,}062{,}193}{10{,}930{,}356{,}224}.
        end{equation}

        Approximately, rounding up and down again,
        $$
        0.079576 < P < 0.079601.
        $$

        One way to "simplify" eqref{ineq:1} (although it seems simpler to me to calculate eqref{ineq:2} and be done with it!) is as follows:



        For the upper bound, observe that $7cdot13cdot19 = 1729 = 1 + 12^3$ (famously!), and $1302 = 2cdot3cdot7cdot31$, so
        $$
        frac{7cdot13cdot19}{1303} < frac{1728}{2cdot3cdot7cdot31} = frac{288}{217} < frac{288}{216} = frac{4}{3},
        $$

        (as one can now easily verify with hindsight), therefore
        $$
        P < frac{13cdot17cdot23cdot99}{2^{21}cdot3} < frac{17cdot300cdot100}{2^{11}cdot3cdot1000} = frac{85}{1024} < frac{1}{12}.
        $$



        For the lower bound, first simplify $Q$ by noticing that $7cdot17cdot19cdot23 = 52003 > 52000 = 2^5cdot5^3cdot13$, whence
        $$
        Q > frac{5cdot13^2cdot99}{2^{20}} = frac{5cdot13cdot1287}{2^{20}} > frac{5cdot13cdot1280}{2^{20}} = frac{5^2cdot13}{2^{12}},
        $$

        and then, instead of using the lower bound from the lemma directly, weaken it to $P > frac{64}{65}Q$, which gives
        $$
        P > frac{5}{64} > frac{1}{13}.
        $$





        For a better idea of the precision of this calculation, we can rewrite eqref{ineq:2} as
        $$
        frac{489{,}609{,}908}{870{,}062{,}193}
        < frac{1}{P} - 12 <
        frac{4{,}840{,}699{,}348}{8{,}544{,}456{,}921},
        $$

        whence (this could be done by hand, although again I used a calculator)
        $$
        frac{1}{12.57} < P < frac{1}{12.56}.
        $$






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          up vote
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          Let $P_n:=prodlimits_{k=1}^n,dfrac{2k-1}{2k}$ for each integer $ngeq 1$. We shall prove that $$frac{2}{3sqrt{2n}}<P_n<frac{1}{sqrt{2n}}tag{*}$$
          for every positive integer $n$, as suggested by Kemono Chen (I think there should be a factor $dfrac{1}{sqrt{2}}$ there so that (*) implies the OP's inequality for $n=50$). The asymptotic behavior of $P_n$ is given here.



          Observe that
          $$P_n^2leq frac{1}{2^2},left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-1}{2k}right),left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k}{2k+1}right)=frac{1}{4},prod_{k=3}^{2n},frac{k}{k+1}=frac{3}{4(2n+1)}.$$
          In addition,
          $$P_n^2geq frac{1}{2^2},left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-1}{2k}right),left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-2}{2k-1}right)=frac{1}{4},prod_{k=2}^{2n-1},frac{k}{k+1}=frac{2}{4(2n)},.$$
          This shows that
          $$frac{1}{2,sqrt{n}}leq P_nleq frac{sqrt{3}}{2,sqrt{2n+1}},.$$
          Both the inequality on the right and the inequality on the left have a unique equality case: $n=1$. Note that this implies (*). In particular, for $n=50$, we have
          $$frac{1}{15}<0.0707<frac{1}{2cdotsqrt{50}}<P_{50}<frac{sqrt{3}}{2cdot sqrt{101}}<0.0862<frac{1}{10},.$$






          share|cite|improve this answer



























            up vote
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            Let $P_n:=prodlimits_{k=1}^n,dfrac{2k-1}{2k}$ for each integer $ngeq 1$. We shall prove that $$frac{2}{3sqrt{2n}}<P_n<frac{1}{sqrt{2n}}tag{*}$$
            for every positive integer $n$, as suggested by Kemono Chen (I think there should be a factor $dfrac{1}{sqrt{2}}$ there so that (*) implies the OP's inequality for $n=50$). The asymptotic behavior of $P_n$ is given here.



            Observe that
            $$P_n^2leq frac{1}{2^2},left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-1}{2k}right),left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k}{2k+1}right)=frac{1}{4},prod_{k=3}^{2n},frac{k}{k+1}=frac{3}{4(2n+1)}.$$
            In addition,
            $$P_n^2geq frac{1}{2^2},left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-1}{2k}right),left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-2}{2k-1}right)=frac{1}{4},prod_{k=2}^{2n-1},frac{k}{k+1}=frac{2}{4(2n)},.$$
            This shows that
            $$frac{1}{2,sqrt{n}}leq P_nleq frac{sqrt{3}}{2,sqrt{2n+1}},.$$
            Both the inequality on the right and the inequality on the left have a unique equality case: $n=1$. Note that this implies (*). In particular, for $n=50$, we have
            $$frac{1}{15}<0.0707<frac{1}{2cdotsqrt{50}}<P_{50}<frac{sqrt{3}}{2cdot sqrt{101}}<0.0862<frac{1}{10},.$$






            share|cite|improve this answer

























              up vote
              4
              down vote










              up vote
              4
              down vote









              Let $P_n:=prodlimits_{k=1}^n,dfrac{2k-1}{2k}$ for each integer $ngeq 1$. We shall prove that $$frac{2}{3sqrt{2n}}<P_n<frac{1}{sqrt{2n}}tag{*}$$
              for every positive integer $n$, as suggested by Kemono Chen (I think there should be a factor $dfrac{1}{sqrt{2}}$ there so that (*) implies the OP's inequality for $n=50$). The asymptotic behavior of $P_n$ is given here.



              Observe that
              $$P_n^2leq frac{1}{2^2},left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-1}{2k}right),left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k}{2k+1}right)=frac{1}{4},prod_{k=3}^{2n},frac{k}{k+1}=frac{3}{4(2n+1)}.$$
              In addition,
              $$P_n^2geq frac{1}{2^2},left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-1}{2k}right),left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-2}{2k-1}right)=frac{1}{4},prod_{k=2}^{2n-1},frac{k}{k+1}=frac{2}{4(2n)},.$$
              This shows that
              $$frac{1}{2,sqrt{n}}leq P_nleq frac{sqrt{3}}{2,sqrt{2n+1}},.$$
              Both the inequality on the right and the inequality on the left have a unique equality case: $n=1$. Note that this implies (*). In particular, for $n=50$, we have
              $$frac{1}{15}<0.0707<frac{1}{2cdotsqrt{50}}<P_{50}<frac{sqrt{3}}{2cdot sqrt{101}}<0.0862<frac{1}{10},.$$






              share|cite|improve this answer














              Let $P_n:=prodlimits_{k=1}^n,dfrac{2k-1}{2k}$ for each integer $ngeq 1$. We shall prove that $$frac{2}{3sqrt{2n}}<P_n<frac{1}{sqrt{2n}}tag{*}$$
              for every positive integer $n$, as suggested by Kemono Chen (I think there should be a factor $dfrac{1}{sqrt{2}}$ there so that (*) implies the OP's inequality for $n=50$). The asymptotic behavior of $P_n$ is given here.



              Observe that
              $$P_n^2leq frac{1}{2^2},left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-1}{2k}right),left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k}{2k+1}right)=frac{1}{4},prod_{k=3}^{2n},frac{k}{k+1}=frac{3}{4(2n+1)}.$$
              In addition,
              $$P_n^2geq frac{1}{2^2},left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-1}{2k}right),left(prod_{k=2}^n,frac{2k-2}{2k-1}right)=frac{1}{4},prod_{k=2}^{2n-1},frac{k}{k+1}=frac{2}{4(2n)},.$$
              This shows that
              $$frac{1}{2,sqrt{n}}leq P_nleq frac{sqrt{3}}{2,sqrt{2n+1}},.$$
              Both the inequality on the right and the inequality on the left have a unique equality case: $n=1$. Note that this implies (*). In particular, for $n=50$, we have
              $$frac{1}{15}<0.0707<frac{1}{2cdotsqrt{50}}<P_{50}<frac{sqrt{3}}{2cdot sqrt{101}}<0.0862<frac{1}{10},.$$







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              edited Nov 19 at 14:19

























              answered Nov 19 at 10:29









              Batominovski

              32.9k23192




              32.9k23192






















                  up vote
                  4
                  down vote













                  Let $S_n=prod_{k=1}^nfrac{2k-1}{2k}$. From Wallis' product, we have
                  $$prod_{k=1}^inftyleft(frac{2k}{2k-1}cdotfrac{2k}{2k+1}right)=frac{pi}{2}.$$
                  Since each term in the product above is greater than $1$, this shows that
                  $$prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k}{2k-1}cdotfrac{2k}{2k+1}right)<frac{pi}{2}$$
                  for all $n$. That is,
                  $$(2n+1)S_n^2=(2n+1)prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)^2=prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}cdotfrac{2k+1}{2k}right)>frac{2}{pi}.$$
                  Therefore,
                  $$S_n>frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac12right)}}.$$



                  Similarly, Wallis' product also implies that
                  $$prod_{k=2}^inftyleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)=frac{4}{pi}.$$
                  Since each term in the product above is greater than $1$, this shows that
                  $$prod_{k=2}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac{4}{pi}$$
                  for all $n$. That is,
                  $$2nS_n^2=2nprod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)^2=frac12prod_{k=2}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac12left(frac{4}{pi}right).$$
                  Therefore,
                  $$S_n<frac{1}{sqrt{pi n}}.$$ Hence,
                  $$frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac12right)}}<S_n<frac1{sqrt{pi n}}$$
                  for every $n$.



                  enter image description here



                  enter image description here






                  share|cite|improve this answer



























                    up vote
                    4
                    down vote













                    Let $S_n=prod_{k=1}^nfrac{2k-1}{2k}$. From Wallis' product, we have
                    $$prod_{k=1}^inftyleft(frac{2k}{2k-1}cdotfrac{2k}{2k+1}right)=frac{pi}{2}.$$
                    Since each term in the product above is greater than $1$, this shows that
                    $$prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k}{2k-1}cdotfrac{2k}{2k+1}right)<frac{pi}{2}$$
                    for all $n$. That is,
                    $$(2n+1)S_n^2=(2n+1)prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)^2=prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}cdotfrac{2k+1}{2k}right)>frac{2}{pi}.$$
                    Therefore,
                    $$S_n>frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac12right)}}.$$



                    Similarly, Wallis' product also implies that
                    $$prod_{k=2}^inftyleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)=frac{4}{pi}.$$
                    Since each term in the product above is greater than $1$, this shows that
                    $$prod_{k=2}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac{4}{pi}$$
                    for all $n$. That is,
                    $$2nS_n^2=2nprod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)^2=frac12prod_{k=2}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac12left(frac{4}{pi}right).$$
                    Therefore,
                    $$S_n<frac{1}{sqrt{pi n}}.$$ Hence,
                    $$frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac12right)}}<S_n<frac1{sqrt{pi n}}$$
                    for every $n$.



                    enter image description here



                    enter image description here






                    share|cite|improve this answer

























                      up vote
                      4
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      4
                      down vote









                      Let $S_n=prod_{k=1}^nfrac{2k-1}{2k}$. From Wallis' product, we have
                      $$prod_{k=1}^inftyleft(frac{2k}{2k-1}cdotfrac{2k}{2k+1}right)=frac{pi}{2}.$$
                      Since each term in the product above is greater than $1$, this shows that
                      $$prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k}{2k-1}cdotfrac{2k}{2k+1}right)<frac{pi}{2}$$
                      for all $n$. That is,
                      $$(2n+1)S_n^2=(2n+1)prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)^2=prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}cdotfrac{2k+1}{2k}right)>frac{2}{pi}.$$
                      Therefore,
                      $$S_n>frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac12right)}}.$$



                      Similarly, Wallis' product also implies that
                      $$prod_{k=2}^inftyleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)=frac{4}{pi}.$$
                      Since each term in the product above is greater than $1$, this shows that
                      $$prod_{k=2}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac{4}{pi}$$
                      for all $n$. That is,
                      $$2nS_n^2=2nprod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)^2=frac12prod_{k=2}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac12left(frac{4}{pi}right).$$
                      Therefore,
                      $$S_n<frac{1}{sqrt{pi n}}.$$ Hence,
                      $$frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac12right)}}<S_n<frac1{sqrt{pi n}}$$
                      for every $n$.



                      enter image description here



                      enter image description here






                      share|cite|improve this answer














                      Let $S_n=prod_{k=1}^nfrac{2k-1}{2k}$. From Wallis' product, we have
                      $$prod_{k=1}^inftyleft(frac{2k}{2k-1}cdotfrac{2k}{2k+1}right)=frac{pi}{2}.$$
                      Since each term in the product above is greater than $1$, this shows that
                      $$prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k}{2k-1}cdotfrac{2k}{2k+1}right)<frac{pi}{2}$$
                      for all $n$. That is,
                      $$(2n+1)S_n^2=(2n+1)prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)^2=prod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}cdotfrac{2k+1}{2k}right)>frac{2}{pi}.$$
                      Therefore,
                      $$S_n>frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac12right)}}.$$



                      Similarly, Wallis' product also implies that
                      $$prod_{k=2}^inftyleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)=frac{4}{pi}.$$
                      Since each term in the product above is greater than $1$, this shows that
                      $$prod_{k=2}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac{4}{pi}$$
                      for all $n$. That is,
                      $$2nS_n^2=2nprod_{k=1}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k}right)^2=frac12prod_{k=2}^nleft(frac{2k-1}{2k-2}cdotfrac{2k-1}{2k}right)<frac12left(frac{4}{pi}right).$$
                      Therefore,
                      $$S_n<frac{1}{sqrt{pi n}}.$$ Hence,
                      $$frac{1}{sqrt{pileft(n+frac12right)}}<S_n<frac1{sqrt{pi n}}$$
                      for every $n$.



                      enter image description here



                      enter image description here







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                      edited Nov 19 at 16:21

























                      answered Nov 19 at 15:21









                      Zvi

                      4,050328




                      4,050328






















                          up vote
                          2
                          down vote













                          Let $a=frac{1}{2}.frac{3}{4}.frac{5}{6}. . . .frac{99}{100}$



                          and:



                          $b=frac{2}{3}.frac{4}{5}.frac{6}{7}. . . frac{100}{101}$



                          It is clear that $a<b$ because each factor of $a$ is less than its corresponding factor in $b$ :



                          $frac{1}{2}<frac{2}{3}, frac{3}{4}<frac{4}{5}. . . frac{99}{100}<frac{100}{101}$



                          $a^2 < ab=(frac{1}{2}.frac{2}{3}).(frac{3}{4}.frac{4}{5}). . . .(frac{99}{100}.frac{100}{101})=frac{1}{101}$



                          $a^2<frac{1}{101}$$a<frac{1}{sqrt{101}}<frac{1}{10}$



                          Also:



                          $2a=frac{3}{4}.frac{5}{6}. . . .frac{99}{100}$



                          $frac{3}{2}.b=frac{4}{5}.frac{6}{7}. . . frac{100}{101}$



                          $2a<frac{3}{2}b$$2a^2<frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}.frac{3}{101}$



                          Or $a^2<frac{3}{4}ab=frac{3}{4}.frac{3}{101}$



                          Since $9>4$ then $a^2 >frac{4}{9times 101}$ and therefore:



                          $a>frac{1}{15}$



                          A more reliable reasoning is given as a comment for this part:



                          $2a>b$$2a^2>ab=frac{1}{101}$$a^2>frac{1}{202}$$a>frac{1}{sqrt{202}}>frac{1}{sqrt{225}}=frac{1}{15}$






                          share|cite|improve this answer



















                          • 2




                            I've lost count of how many times I've read the last line, and I still can't understand: (i) how you get $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$, when surely it should be $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{1}{101}$; (ii) how you get from $2a^2<frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$ to $a^2>frac{4}{9times101}$, when surely it should be $frac{1}{a^2}>frac{4times101}{9}$; or (iii) generally, how a lower bound for $a$ could possibly be obtained from an upper bound for $a$! (My reading comprehension sometimes goes on the blink, so, in view of the upvotes, I guess it must have happened again!)
                            – Calum Gilhooley
                            Nov 20 at 1:44










                          • In the line $a^2<ab=...$ just eliminate the first term , because it is moved to LHS as 2a and (3/2)ab.
                            – sirous
                            Nov 20 at 5:26






                          • 3




                            @CalumGilhooley I have the same problem. But one could reason as follows: $$2a = frac{3}{4}cdot frac{5}{6} cdots frac{99}{100} color{blue}{cdot 1} > frac{2}{3}cdot frac{4}{5} cdots frac{100}{101} = b$$ $$Rightarrow 2a^2 > ab = frac{1}{101} Rightarrow a > frac{1}{sqrt{202}} > frac{1}{sqrt{225}} = frac{1}{15}$$
                            – trancelocation
                            Nov 20 at 7:27












                          • @sirous I imagine your reply, which I couldn't understand, was meant to be an explanation of $2a<frac{3}{2}b$, which wasn't any of the three things I was asking about, and which was one of the only two parts of the last line that I didn't need to have explained! In contrast, trancelocation's reply made perfect sense.
                            – Calum Gilhooley
                            Nov 20 at 8:17










                          • @CalumGilhooley, I edited my answer for more clarification. The reasoning of -trancelocation is also good.
                            – sirous
                            Nov 20 at 15:24















                          up vote
                          2
                          down vote













                          Let $a=frac{1}{2}.frac{3}{4}.frac{5}{6}. . . .frac{99}{100}$



                          and:



                          $b=frac{2}{3}.frac{4}{5}.frac{6}{7}. . . frac{100}{101}$



                          It is clear that $a<b$ because each factor of $a$ is less than its corresponding factor in $b$ :



                          $frac{1}{2}<frac{2}{3}, frac{3}{4}<frac{4}{5}. . . frac{99}{100}<frac{100}{101}$



                          $a^2 < ab=(frac{1}{2}.frac{2}{3}).(frac{3}{4}.frac{4}{5}). . . .(frac{99}{100}.frac{100}{101})=frac{1}{101}$



                          $a^2<frac{1}{101}$$a<frac{1}{sqrt{101}}<frac{1}{10}$



                          Also:



                          $2a=frac{3}{4}.frac{5}{6}. . . .frac{99}{100}$



                          $frac{3}{2}.b=frac{4}{5}.frac{6}{7}. . . frac{100}{101}$



                          $2a<frac{3}{2}b$$2a^2<frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}.frac{3}{101}$



                          Or $a^2<frac{3}{4}ab=frac{3}{4}.frac{3}{101}$



                          Since $9>4$ then $a^2 >frac{4}{9times 101}$ and therefore:



                          $a>frac{1}{15}$



                          A more reliable reasoning is given as a comment for this part:



                          $2a>b$$2a^2>ab=frac{1}{101}$$a^2>frac{1}{202}$$a>frac{1}{sqrt{202}}>frac{1}{sqrt{225}}=frac{1}{15}$






                          share|cite|improve this answer



















                          • 2




                            I've lost count of how many times I've read the last line, and I still can't understand: (i) how you get $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$, when surely it should be $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{1}{101}$; (ii) how you get from $2a^2<frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$ to $a^2>frac{4}{9times101}$, when surely it should be $frac{1}{a^2}>frac{4times101}{9}$; or (iii) generally, how a lower bound for $a$ could possibly be obtained from an upper bound for $a$! (My reading comprehension sometimes goes on the blink, so, in view of the upvotes, I guess it must have happened again!)
                            – Calum Gilhooley
                            Nov 20 at 1:44










                          • In the line $a^2<ab=...$ just eliminate the first term , because it is moved to LHS as 2a and (3/2)ab.
                            – sirous
                            Nov 20 at 5:26






                          • 3




                            @CalumGilhooley I have the same problem. But one could reason as follows: $$2a = frac{3}{4}cdot frac{5}{6} cdots frac{99}{100} color{blue}{cdot 1} > frac{2}{3}cdot frac{4}{5} cdots frac{100}{101} = b$$ $$Rightarrow 2a^2 > ab = frac{1}{101} Rightarrow a > frac{1}{sqrt{202}} > frac{1}{sqrt{225}} = frac{1}{15}$$
                            – trancelocation
                            Nov 20 at 7:27












                          • @sirous I imagine your reply, which I couldn't understand, was meant to be an explanation of $2a<frac{3}{2}b$, which wasn't any of the three things I was asking about, and which was one of the only two parts of the last line that I didn't need to have explained! In contrast, trancelocation's reply made perfect sense.
                            – Calum Gilhooley
                            Nov 20 at 8:17










                          • @CalumGilhooley, I edited my answer for more clarification. The reasoning of -trancelocation is also good.
                            – sirous
                            Nov 20 at 15:24













                          up vote
                          2
                          down vote










                          up vote
                          2
                          down vote









                          Let $a=frac{1}{2}.frac{3}{4}.frac{5}{6}. . . .frac{99}{100}$



                          and:



                          $b=frac{2}{3}.frac{4}{5}.frac{6}{7}. . . frac{100}{101}$



                          It is clear that $a<b$ because each factor of $a$ is less than its corresponding factor in $b$ :



                          $frac{1}{2}<frac{2}{3}, frac{3}{4}<frac{4}{5}. . . frac{99}{100}<frac{100}{101}$



                          $a^2 < ab=(frac{1}{2}.frac{2}{3}).(frac{3}{4}.frac{4}{5}). . . .(frac{99}{100}.frac{100}{101})=frac{1}{101}$



                          $a^2<frac{1}{101}$$a<frac{1}{sqrt{101}}<frac{1}{10}$



                          Also:



                          $2a=frac{3}{4}.frac{5}{6}. . . .frac{99}{100}$



                          $frac{3}{2}.b=frac{4}{5}.frac{6}{7}. . . frac{100}{101}$



                          $2a<frac{3}{2}b$$2a^2<frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}.frac{3}{101}$



                          Or $a^2<frac{3}{4}ab=frac{3}{4}.frac{3}{101}$



                          Since $9>4$ then $a^2 >frac{4}{9times 101}$ and therefore:



                          $a>frac{1}{15}$



                          A more reliable reasoning is given as a comment for this part:



                          $2a>b$$2a^2>ab=frac{1}{101}$$a^2>frac{1}{202}$$a>frac{1}{sqrt{202}}>frac{1}{sqrt{225}}=frac{1}{15}$






                          share|cite|improve this answer














                          Let $a=frac{1}{2}.frac{3}{4}.frac{5}{6}. . . .frac{99}{100}$



                          and:



                          $b=frac{2}{3}.frac{4}{5}.frac{6}{7}. . . frac{100}{101}$



                          It is clear that $a<b$ because each factor of $a$ is less than its corresponding factor in $b$ :



                          $frac{1}{2}<frac{2}{3}, frac{3}{4}<frac{4}{5}. . . frac{99}{100}<frac{100}{101}$



                          $a^2 < ab=(frac{1}{2}.frac{2}{3}).(frac{3}{4}.frac{4}{5}). . . .(frac{99}{100}.frac{100}{101})=frac{1}{101}$



                          $a^2<frac{1}{101}$$a<frac{1}{sqrt{101}}<frac{1}{10}$



                          Also:



                          $2a=frac{3}{4}.frac{5}{6}. . . .frac{99}{100}$



                          $frac{3}{2}.b=frac{4}{5}.frac{6}{7}. . . frac{100}{101}$



                          $2a<frac{3}{2}b$$2a^2<frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}.frac{3}{101}$



                          Or $a^2<frac{3}{4}ab=frac{3}{4}.frac{3}{101}$



                          Since $9>4$ then $a^2 >frac{4}{9times 101}$ and therefore:



                          $a>frac{1}{15}$



                          A more reliable reasoning is given as a comment for this part:



                          $2a>b$$2a^2>ab=frac{1}{101}$$a^2>frac{1}{202}$$a>frac{1}{sqrt{202}}>frac{1}{sqrt{225}}=frac{1}{15}$







                          share|cite|improve this answer














                          share|cite|improve this answer



                          share|cite|improve this answer








                          edited Nov 20 at 19:05

























                          answered Nov 19 at 13:32









                          sirous

                          1,5641513




                          1,5641513








                          • 2




                            I've lost count of how many times I've read the last line, and I still can't understand: (i) how you get $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$, when surely it should be $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{1}{101}$; (ii) how you get from $2a^2<frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$ to $a^2>frac{4}{9times101}$, when surely it should be $frac{1}{a^2}>frac{4times101}{9}$; or (iii) generally, how a lower bound for $a$ could possibly be obtained from an upper bound for $a$! (My reading comprehension sometimes goes on the blink, so, in view of the upvotes, I guess it must have happened again!)
                            – Calum Gilhooley
                            Nov 20 at 1:44










                          • In the line $a^2<ab=...$ just eliminate the first term , because it is moved to LHS as 2a and (3/2)ab.
                            – sirous
                            Nov 20 at 5:26






                          • 3




                            @CalumGilhooley I have the same problem. But one could reason as follows: $$2a = frac{3}{4}cdot frac{5}{6} cdots frac{99}{100} color{blue}{cdot 1} > frac{2}{3}cdot frac{4}{5} cdots frac{100}{101} = b$$ $$Rightarrow 2a^2 > ab = frac{1}{101} Rightarrow a > frac{1}{sqrt{202}} > frac{1}{sqrt{225}} = frac{1}{15}$$
                            – trancelocation
                            Nov 20 at 7:27












                          • @sirous I imagine your reply, which I couldn't understand, was meant to be an explanation of $2a<frac{3}{2}b$, which wasn't any of the three things I was asking about, and which was one of the only two parts of the last line that I didn't need to have explained! In contrast, trancelocation's reply made perfect sense.
                            – Calum Gilhooley
                            Nov 20 at 8:17










                          • @CalumGilhooley, I edited my answer for more clarification. The reasoning of -trancelocation is also good.
                            – sirous
                            Nov 20 at 15:24














                          • 2




                            I've lost count of how many times I've read the last line, and I still can't understand: (i) how you get $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$, when surely it should be $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{1}{101}$; (ii) how you get from $2a^2<frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$ to $a^2>frac{4}{9times101}$, when surely it should be $frac{1}{a^2}>frac{4times101}{9}$; or (iii) generally, how a lower bound for $a$ could possibly be obtained from an upper bound for $a$! (My reading comprehension sometimes goes on the blink, so, in view of the upvotes, I guess it must have happened again!)
                            – Calum Gilhooley
                            Nov 20 at 1:44










                          • In the line $a^2<ab=...$ just eliminate the first term , because it is moved to LHS as 2a and (3/2)ab.
                            – sirous
                            Nov 20 at 5:26






                          • 3




                            @CalumGilhooley I have the same problem. But one could reason as follows: $$2a = frac{3}{4}cdot frac{5}{6} cdots frac{99}{100} color{blue}{cdot 1} > frac{2}{3}cdot frac{4}{5} cdots frac{100}{101} = b$$ $$Rightarrow 2a^2 > ab = frac{1}{101} Rightarrow a > frac{1}{sqrt{202}} > frac{1}{sqrt{225}} = frac{1}{15}$$
                            – trancelocation
                            Nov 20 at 7:27












                          • @sirous I imagine your reply, which I couldn't understand, was meant to be an explanation of $2a<frac{3}{2}b$, which wasn't any of the three things I was asking about, and which was one of the only two parts of the last line that I didn't need to have explained! In contrast, trancelocation's reply made perfect sense.
                            – Calum Gilhooley
                            Nov 20 at 8:17










                          • @CalumGilhooley, I edited my answer for more clarification. The reasoning of -trancelocation is also good.
                            – sirous
                            Nov 20 at 15:24








                          2




                          2




                          I've lost count of how many times I've read the last line, and I still can't understand: (i) how you get $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$, when surely it should be $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{1}{101}$; (ii) how you get from $2a^2<frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$ to $a^2>frac{4}{9times101}$, when surely it should be $frac{1}{a^2}>frac{4times101}{9}$; or (iii) generally, how a lower bound for $a$ could possibly be obtained from an upper bound for $a$! (My reading comprehension sometimes goes on the blink, so, in view of the upvotes, I guess it must have happened again!)
                          – Calum Gilhooley
                          Nov 20 at 1:44




                          I've lost count of how many times I've read the last line, and I still can't understand: (i) how you get $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$, when surely it should be $frac{3}{2}ab=frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{1}{101}$; (ii) how you get from $2a^2<frac{3}{2}cdotfrac{3}{101}$ to $a^2>frac{4}{9times101}$, when surely it should be $frac{1}{a^2}>frac{4times101}{9}$; or (iii) generally, how a lower bound for $a$ could possibly be obtained from an upper bound for $a$! (My reading comprehension sometimes goes on the blink, so, in view of the upvotes, I guess it must have happened again!)
                          – Calum Gilhooley
                          Nov 20 at 1:44












                          In the line $a^2<ab=...$ just eliminate the first term , because it is moved to LHS as 2a and (3/2)ab.
                          – sirous
                          Nov 20 at 5:26




                          In the line $a^2<ab=...$ just eliminate the first term , because it is moved to LHS as 2a and (3/2)ab.
                          – sirous
                          Nov 20 at 5:26




                          3




                          3




                          @CalumGilhooley I have the same problem. But one could reason as follows: $$2a = frac{3}{4}cdot frac{5}{6} cdots frac{99}{100} color{blue}{cdot 1} > frac{2}{3}cdot frac{4}{5} cdots frac{100}{101} = b$$ $$Rightarrow 2a^2 > ab = frac{1}{101} Rightarrow a > frac{1}{sqrt{202}} > frac{1}{sqrt{225}} = frac{1}{15}$$
                          – trancelocation
                          Nov 20 at 7:27






                          @CalumGilhooley I have the same problem. But one could reason as follows: $$2a = frac{3}{4}cdot frac{5}{6} cdots frac{99}{100} color{blue}{cdot 1} > frac{2}{3}cdot frac{4}{5} cdots frac{100}{101} = b$$ $$Rightarrow 2a^2 > ab = frac{1}{101} Rightarrow a > frac{1}{sqrt{202}} > frac{1}{sqrt{225}} = frac{1}{15}$$
                          – trancelocation
                          Nov 20 at 7:27














                          @sirous I imagine your reply, which I couldn't understand, was meant to be an explanation of $2a<frac{3}{2}b$, which wasn't any of the three things I was asking about, and which was one of the only two parts of the last line that I didn't need to have explained! In contrast, trancelocation's reply made perfect sense.
                          – Calum Gilhooley
                          Nov 20 at 8:17




                          @sirous I imagine your reply, which I couldn't understand, was meant to be an explanation of $2a<frac{3}{2}b$, which wasn't any of the three things I was asking about, and which was one of the only two parts of the last line that I didn't need to have explained! In contrast, trancelocation's reply made perfect sense.
                          – Calum Gilhooley
                          Nov 20 at 8:17












                          @CalumGilhooley, I edited my answer for more clarification. The reasoning of -trancelocation is also good.
                          – sirous
                          Nov 20 at 15:24




                          @CalumGilhooley, I edited my answer for more clarification. The reasoning of -trancelocation is also good.
                          – sirous
                          Nov 20 at 15:24










                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          Just a thought, that may be worth mentioning:



                          The expression:



                          $$p=(frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdot cdot cdotcdotfrac{99}{100})$$



                          We could use the following identities:



                          Product of $n$ odd numbers =



                          $$p_o = frac{(2n!)}{(n!)2^{n}}$$



                          Product of $n$ even numbers =



                          $$p_e = (n!)2^{n}$$



                          The first $4$ terms of $p$ =



                          $$frac{1.3.5.7}{2.4.6.8}=frac{105}{1152}=0.2734$$



                          We may write $p$ as:



                          $$p=frac{odd_numbers}{even_numbers}=frac{p_o}{p_e}=$$



                          $$p=frac{(2n)!}{((n!)2^{n})^2}$$



                          To prove $p<frac{1}{10}$, we know that (2n)! < n! (for n>1), so we can write:



                          $$p<frac{(n!)}{((n!)2^{n})^2}$$



                          $$p<frac{1}{(n!)({n})^2}$$



                          We could conclude that, for $n >=2$



                          $$p<frac{1}{10}$$



                          for the lower bound, any of the other solution presented may be considered or check stovf-math p between 1/13 and 1/15 may also be considered.






                          share|cite|improve this answer



























                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote













                            Just a thought, that may be worth mentioning:



                            The expression:



                            $$p=(frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdot cdot cdotcdotfrac{99}{100})$$



                            We could use the following identities:



                            Product of $n$ odd numbers =



                            $$p_o = frac{(2n!)}{(n!)2^{n}}$$



                            Product of $n$ even numbers =



                            $$p_e = (n!)2^{n}$$



                            The first $4$ terms of $p$ =



                            $$frac{1.3.5.7}{2.4.6.8}=frac{105}{1152}=0.2734$$



                            We may write $p$ as:



                            $$p=frac{odd_numbers}{even_numbers}=frac{p_o}{p_e}=$$



                            $$p=frac{(2n)!}{((n!)2^{n})^2}$$



                            To prove $p<frac{1}{10}$, we know that (2n)! < n! (for n>1), so we can write:



                            $$p<frac{(n!)}{((n!)2^{n})^2}$$



                            $$p<frac{1}{(n!)({n})^2}$$



                            We could conclude that, for $n >=2$



                            $$p<frac{1}{10}$$



                            for the lower bound, any of the other solution presented may be considered or check stovf-math p between 1/13 and 1/15 may also be considered.






                            share|cite|improve this answer

























                              up vote
                              0
                              down vote










                              up vote
                              0
                              down vote









                              Just a thought, that may be worth mentioning:



                              The expression:



                              $$p=(frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdot cdot cdotcdotfrac{99}{100})$$



                              We could use the following identities:



                              Product of $n$ odd numbers =



                              $$p_o = frac{(2n!)}{(n!)2^{n}}$$



                              Product of $n$ even numbers =



                              $$p_e = (n!)2^{n}$$



                              The first $4$ terms of $p$ =



                              $$frac{1.3.5.7}{2.4.6.8}=frac{105}{1152}=0.2734$$



                              We may write $p$ as:



                              $$p=frac{odd_numbers}{even_numbers}=frac{p_o}{p_e}=$$



                              $$p=frac{(2n)!}{((n!)2^{n})^2}$$



                              To prove $p<frac{1}{10}$, we know that (2n)! < n! (for n>1), so we can write:



                              $$p<frac{(n!)}{((n!)2^{n})^2}$$



                              $$p<frac{1}{(n!)({n})^2}$$



                              We could conclude that, for $n >=2$



                              $$p<frac{1}{10}$$



                              for the lower bound, any of the other solution presented may be considered or check stovf-math p between 1/13 and 1/15 may also be considered.






                              share|cite|improve this answer














                              Just a thought, that may be worth mentioning:



                              The expression:



                              $$p=(frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdot cdot cdotcdotfrac{99}{100})$$



                              We could use the following identities:



                              Product of $n$ odd numbers =



                              $$p_o = frac{(2n!)}{(n!)2^{n}}$$



                              Product of $n$ even numbers =



                              $$p_e = (n!)2^{n}$$



                              The first $4$ terms of $p$ =



                              $$frac{1.3.5.7}{2.4.6.8}=frac{105}{1152}=0.2734$$



                              We may write $p$ as:



                              $$p=frac{odd_numbers}{even_numbers}=frac{p_o}{p_e}=$$



                              $$p=frac{(2n)!}{((n!)2^{n})^2}$$



                              To prove $p<frac{1}{10}$, we know that (2n)! < n! (for n>1), so we can write:



                              $$p<frac{(n!)}{((n!)2^{n})^2}$$



                              $$p<frac{1}{(n!)({n})^2}$$



                              We could conclude that, for $n >=2$



                              $$p<frac{1}{10}$$



                              for the lower bound, any of the other solution presented may be considered or check stovf-math p between 1/13 and 1/15 may also be considered.







                              share|cite|improve this answer














                              share|cite|improve this answer



                              share|cite|improve this answer








                              edited Nov 19 at 18:34

























                              answered Nov 19 at 12:22









                              NoChance

                              3,59621221




                              3,59621221






















                                  up vote
                                  0
                                  down vote













                                  This is tedious and unsophisticated, but don't knock it, it works! :)



                                  As well as answering the present question, it also answers the linked question, prove $frac{1}{13}<frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdotsfrac{99}{100}<frac{1}{12}$.



                                  We need a preliminary lemma:




                                  If
                                  $$
                                  k = left(1 - frac{1}{52^2}right)left(1 - frac{1}{56^2}right)cdotsleft(1 - frac{1}{96^2}right),
                                  $$

                                  then
                                  $$
                                  frac{383}{384} < k < frac{1300}{1303}.
                                  $$

                                  Rounding up and down, as appropriate, this is approximately
                                  $$
                                  0.997395 < k < 0.997698,
                                  $$

                                  but of course we avoid using such calculations.




                                  Proof. By the Weierstrass product inequality, we have
                                  $$
                                  1 - s < k < frac{1}{1 + s},
                                  $$

                                  where
                                  $$
                                  s = frac{1}{52^2} + frac{1}{56^2} + cdots + frac{1}{96^2} =
                                  frac{1}{16}left(frac{1}{13^2} + frac{1}{14^2} + cdots + frac{1}{24^2}right).
                                  $$

                                  Telescoping,
                                  begin{align*}
                                  16s & <
                                  frac{1}{12cdot13} + frac{1}{13cdot14} + cdots + frac{1}{23cdot24}
                                  = frac{1}{24}, \
                                  16s & >
                                  frac{1}{13cdot14} + frac{1}{14cdot15} + cdots + frac{1}{24cdot25}
                                  = frac{12}{325},
                                  end{align*}

                                  therefore
                                  $$
                                  1 - frac{1}{384} < k < frac{1}{1 + frac{3}{1300}},
                                  $$

                                  as required. $square$



                                  The number we wish to approximate is
                                  $$
                                  P = frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdotsfrac{99}{100}
                                  = frac{51cdot53cdot55cdots97cdot99}{2^{25}cdot4cdot8cdot12cdots96cdot100}
                                  = kQ,
                                  $$

                                  where
                                  begin{gather*}
                                  Q = frac{52^2cdot56^2cdots96^2cdot99}{2^{75}cdot25!}
                                  = frac{13cdot14cdots24cdot99}{2^{27}cdot12!cdot25}
                                  = frac{13cdot15cdot17cdot19cdot21cdot23cdot99}{2^{21}cdot6!cdot25} \
                                  = frac{7cdot13cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot99}{2^{25}cdot25}.
                                  end{gather*}

                                  Therefore, using the bounds obtained for $k$ in the lemma,
                                  begin{equation}
                                  tag{$1$}label{ineq:1}
                                  frac{7cdot13cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot33cdot383}{2^{32}cdot25}
                                  < P <
                                  frac{7cdot13^2cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot99}{2^{23}cdot1303}.
                                  end{equation}

                                  Although this is well within the range of easy hand calculation, I lazily used a calculator for most of the work (only doubling $2^{22}cdot1303 = 5{,}465{,}178{,}112$ at the last stage by hand), to get
                                  begin{equation}
                                  tag{$2$}label{ineq:2}
                                  frac{8{,}544{,}456{,}921}{107{,}374{,}182{,}400} < P < frac{870{,}062{,}193}{10{,}930{,}356{,}224}.
                                  end{equation}

                                  Approximately, rounding up and down again,
                                  $$
                                  0.079576 < P < 0.079601.
                                  $$

                                  One way to "simplify" eqref{ineq:1} (although it seems simpler to me to calculate eqref{ineq:2} and be done with it!) is as follows:



                                  For the upper bound, observe that $7cdot13cdot19 = 1729 = 1 + 12^3$ (famously!), and $1302 = 2cdot3cdot7cdot31$, so
                                  $$
                                  frac{7cdot13cdot19}{1303} < frac{1728}{2cdot3cdot7cdot31} = frac{288}{217} < frac{288}{216} = frac{4}{3},
                                  $$

                                  (as one can now easily verify with hindsight), therefore
                                  $$
                                  P < frac{13cdot17cdot23cdot99}{2^{21}cdot3} < frac{17cdot300cdot100}{2^{11}cdot3cdot1000} = frac{85}{1024} < frac{1}{12}.
                                  $$



                                  For the lower bound, first simplify $Q$ by noticing that $7cdot17cdot19cdot23 = 52003 > 52000 = 2^5cdot5^3cdot13$, whence
                                  $$
                                  Q > frac{5cdot13^2cdot99}{2^{20}} = frac{5cdot13cdot1287}{2^{20}} > frac{5cdot13cdot1280}{2^{20}} = frac{5^2cdot13}{2^{12}},
                                  $$

                                  and then, instead of using the lower bound from the lemma directly, weaken it to $P > frac{64}{65}Q$, which gives
                                  $$
                                  P > frac{5}{64} > frac{1}{13}.
                                  $$





                                  For a better idea of the precision of this calculation, we can rewrite eqref{ineq:2} as
                                  $$
                                  frac{489{,}609{,}908}{870{,}062{,}193}
                                  < frac{1}{P} - 12 <
                                  frac{4{,}840{,}699{,}348}{8{,}544{,}456{,}921},
                                  $$

                                  whence (this could be done by hand, although again I used a calculator)
                                  $$
                                  frac{1}{12.57} < P < frac{1}{12.56}.
                                  $$






                                  share|cite|improve this answer



























                                    up vote
                                    0
                                    down vote













                                    This is tedious and unsophisticated, but don't knock it, it works! :)



                                    As well as answering the present question, it also answers the linked question, prove $frac{1}{13}<frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdotsfrac{99}{100}<frac{1}{12}$.



                                    We need a preliminary lemma:




                                    If
                                    $$
                                    k = left(1 - frac{1}{52^2}right)left(1 - frac{1}{56^2}right)cdotsleft(1 - frac{1}{96^2}right),
                                    $$

                                    then
                                    $$
                                    frac{383}{384} < k < frac{1300}{1303}.
                                    $$

                                    Rounding up and down, as appropriate, this is approximately
                                    $$
                                    0.997395 < k < 0.997698,
                                    $$

                                    but of course we avoid using such calculations.




                                    Proof. By the Weierstrass product inequality, we have
                                    $$
                                    1 - s < k < frac{1}{1 + s},
                                    $$

                                    where
                                    $$
                                    s = frac{1}{52^2} + frac{1}{56^2} + cdots + frac{1}{96^2} =
                                    frac{1}{16}left(frac{1}{13^2} + frac{1}{14^2} + cdots + frac{1}{24^2}right).
                                    $$

                                    Telescoping,
                                    begin{align*}
                                    16s & <
                                    frac{1}{12cdot13} + frac{1}{13cdot14} + cdots + frac{1}{23cdot24}
                                    = frac{1}{24}, \
                                    16s & >
                                    frac{1}{13cdot14} + frac{1}{14cdot15} + cdots + frac{1}{24cdot25}
                                    = frac{12}{325},
                                    end{align*}

                                    therefore
                                    $$
                                    1 - frac{1}{384} < k < frac{1}{1 + frac{3}{1300}},
                                    $$

                                    as required. $square$



                                    The number we wish to approximate is
                                    $$
                                    P = frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdotsfrac{99}{100}
                                    = frac{51cdot53cdot55cdots97cdot99}{2^{25}cdot4cdot8cdot12cdots96cdot100}
                                    = kQ,
                                    $$

                                    where
                                    begin{gather*}
                                    Q = frac{52^2cdot56^2cdots96^2cdot99}{2^{75}cdot25!}
                                    = frac{13cdot14cdots24cdot99}{2^{27}cdot12!cdot25}
                                    = frac{13cdot15cdot17cdot19cdot21cdot23cdot99}{2^{21}cdot6!cdot25} \
                                    = frac{7cdot13cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot99}{2^{25}cdot25}.
                                    end{gather*}

                                    Therefore, using the bounds obtained for $k$ in the lemma,
                                    begin{equation}
                                    tag{$1$}label{ineq:1}
                                    frac{7cdot13cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot33cdot383}{2^{32}cdot25}
                                    < P <
                                    frac{7cdot13^2cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot99}{2^{23}cdot1303}.
                                    end{equation}

                                    Although this is well within the range of easy hand calculation, I lazily used a calculator for most of the work (only doubling $2^{22}cdot1303 = 5{,}465{,}178{,}112$ at the last stage by hand), to get
                                    begin{equation}
                                    tag{$2$}label{ineq:2}
                                    frac{8{,}544{,}456{,}921}{107{,}374{,}182{,}400} < P < frac{870{,}062{,}193}{10{,}930{,}356{,}224}.
                                    end{equation}

                                    Approximately, rounding up and down again,
                                    $$
                                    0.079576 < P < 0.079601.
                                    $$

                                    One way to "simplify" eqref{ineq:1} (although it seems simpler to me to calculate eqref{ineq:2} and be done with it!) is as follows:



                                    For the upper bound, observe that $7cdot13cdot19 = 1729 = 1 + 12^3$ (famously!), and $1302 = 2cdot3cdot7cdot31$, so
                                    $$
                                    frac{7cdot13cdot19}{1303} < frac{1728}{2cdot3cdot7cdot31} = frac{288}{217} < frac{288}{216} = frac{4}{3},
                                    $$

                                    (as one can now easily verify with hindsight), therefore
                                    $$
                                    P < frac{13cdot17cdot23cdot99}{2^{21}cdot3} < frac{17cdot300cdot100}{2^{11}cdot3cdot1000} = frac{85}{1024} < frac{1}{12}.
                                    $$



                                    For the lower bound, first simplify $Q$ by noticing that $7cdot17cdot19cdot23 = 52003 > 52000 = 2^5cdot5^3cdot13$, whence
                                    $$
                                    Q > frac{5cdot13^2cdot99}{2^{20}} = frac{5cdot13cdot1287}{2^{20}} > frac{5cdot13cdot1280}{2^{20}} = frac{5^2cdot13}{2^{12}},
                                    $$

                                    and then, instead of using the lower bound from the lemma directly, weaken it to $P > frac{64}{65}Q$, which gives
                                    $$
                                    P > frac{5}{64} > frac{1}{13}.
                                    $$





                                    For a better idea of the precision of this calculation, we can rewrite eqref{ineq:2} as
                                    $$
                                    frac{489{,}609{,}908}{870{,}062{,}193}
                                    < frac{1}{P} - 12 <
                                    frac{4{,}840{,}699{,}348}{8{,}544{,}456{,}921},
                                    $$

                                    whence (this could be done by hand, although again I used a calculator)
                                    $$
                                    frac{1}{12.57} < P < frac{1}{12.56}.
                                    $$






                                    share|cite|improve this answer

























                                      up vote
                                      0
                                      down vote










                                      up vote
                                      0
                                      down vote









                                      This is tedious and unsophisticated, but don't knock it, it works! :)



                                      As well as answering the present question, it also answers the linked question, prove $frac{1}{13}<frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdotsfrac{99}{100}<frac{1}{12}$.



                                      We need a preliminary lemma:




                                      If
                                      $$
                                      k = left(1 - frac{1}{52^2}right)left(1 - frac{1}{56^2}right)cdotsleft(1 - frac{1}{96^2}right),
                                      $$

                                      then
                                      $$
                                      frac{383}{384} < k < frac{1300}{1303}.
                                      $$

                                      Rounding up and down, as appropriate, this is approximately
                                      $$
                                      0.997395 < k < 0.997698,
                                      $$

                                      but of course we avoid using such calculations.




                                      Proof. By the Weierstrass product inequality, we have
                                      $$
                                      1 - s < k < frac{1}{1 + s},
                                      $$

                                      where
                                      $$
                                      s = frac{1}{52^2} + frac{1}{56^2} + cdots + frac{1}{96^2} =
                                      frac{1}{16}left(frac{1}{13^2} + frac{1}{14^2} + cdots + frac{1}{24^2}right).
                                      $$

                                      Telescoping,
                                      begin{align*}
                                      16s & <
                                      frac{1}{12cdot13} + frac{1}{13cdot14} + cdots + frac{1}{23cdot24}
                                      = frac{1}{24}, \
                                      16s & >
                                      frac{1}{13cdot14} + frac{1}{14cdot15} + cdots + frac{1}{24cdot25}
                                      = frac{12}{325},
                                      end{align*}

                                      therefore
                                      $$
                                      1 - frac{1}{384} < k < frac{1}{1 + frac{3}{1300}},
                                      $$

                                      as required. $square$



                                      The number we wish to approximate is
                                      $$
                                      P = frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdotsfrac{99}{100}
                                      = frac{51cdot53cdot55cdots97cdot99}{2^{25}cdot4cdot8cdot12cdots96cdot100}
                                      = kQ,
                                      $$

                                      where
                                      begin{gather*}
                                      Q = frac{52^2cdot56^2cdots96^2cdot99}{2^{75}cdot25!}
                                      = frac{13cdot14cdots24cdot99}{2^{27}cdot12!cdot25}
                                      = frac{13cdot15cdot17cdot19cdot21cdot23cdot99}{2^{21}cdot6!cdot25} \
                                      = frac{7cdot13cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot99}{2^{25}cdot25}.
                                      end{gather*}

                                      Therefore, using the bounds obtained for $k$ in the lemma,
                                      begin{equation}
                                      tag{$1$}label{ineq:1}
                                      frac{7cdot13cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot33cdot383}{2^{32}cdot25}
                                      < P <
                                      frac{7cdot13^2cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot99}{2^{23}cdot1303}.
                                      end{equation}

                                      Although this is well within the range of easy hand calculation, I lazily used a calculator for most of the work (only doubling $2^{22}cdot1303 = 5{,}465{,}178{,}112$ at the last stage by hand), to get
                                      begin{equation}
                                      tag{$2$}label{ineq:2}
                                      frac{8{,}544{,}456{,}921}{107{,}374{,}182{,}400} < P < frac{870{,}062{,}193}{10{,}930{,}356{,}224}.
                                      end{equation}

                                      Approximately, rounding up and down again,
                                      $$
                                      0.079576 < P < 0.079601.
                                      $$

                                      One way to "simplify" eqref{ineq:1} (although it seems simpler to me to calculate eqref{ineq:2} and be done with it!) is as follows:



                                      For the upper bound, observe that $7cdot13cdot19 = 1729 = 1 + 12^3$ (famously!), and $1302 = 2cdot3cdot7cdot31$, so
                                      $$
                                      frac{7cdot13cdot19}{1303} < frac{1728}{2cdot3cdot7cdot31} = frac{288}{217} < frac{288}{216} = frac{4}{3},
                                      $$

                                      (as one can now easily verify with hindsight), therefore
                                      $$
                                      P < frac{13cdot17cdot23cdot99}{2^{21}cdot3} < frac{17cdot300cdot100}{2^{11}cdot3cdot1000} = frac{85}{1024} < frac{1}{12}.
                                      $$



                                      For the lower bound, first simplify $Q$ by noticing that $7cdot17cdot19cdot23 = 52003 > 52000 = 2^5cdot5^3cdot13$, whence
                                      $$
                                      Q > frac{5cdot13^2cdot99}{2^{20}} = frac{5cdot13cdot1287}{2^{20}} > frac{5cdot13cdot1280}{2^{20}} = frac{5^2cdot13}{2^{12}},
                                      $$

                                      and then, instead of using the lower bound from the lemma directly, weaken it to $P > frac{64}{65}Q$, which gives
                                      $$
                                      P > frac{5}{64} > frac{1}{13}.
                                      $$





                                      For a better idea of the precision of this calculation, we can rewrite eqref{ineq:2} as
                                      $$
                                      frac{489{,}609{,}908}{870{,}062{,}193}
                                      < frac{1}{P} - 12 <
                                      frac{4{,}840{,}699{,}348}{8{,}544{,}456{,}921},
                                      $$

                                      whence (this could be done by hand, although again I used a calculator)
                                      $$
                                      frac{1}{12.57} < P < frac{1}{12.56}.
                                      $$






                                      share|cite|improve this answer














                                      This is tedious and unsophisticated, but don't knock it, it works! :)



                                      As well as answering the present question, it also answers the linked question, prove $frac{1}{13}<frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdotsfrac{99}{100}<frac{1}{12}$.



                                      We need a preliminary lemma:




                                      If
                                      $$
                                      k = left(1 - frac{1}{52^2}right)left(1 - frac{1}{56^2}right)cdotsleft(1 - frac{1}{96^2}right),
                                      $$

                                      then
                                      $$
                                      frac{383}{384} < k < frac{1300}{1303}.
                                      $$

                                      Rounding up and down, as appropriate, this is approximately
                                      $$
                                      0.997395 < k < 0.997698,
                                      $$

                                      but of course we avoid using such calculations.




                                      Proof. By the Weierstrass product inequality, we have
                                      $$
                                      1 - s < k < frac{1}{1 + s},
                                      $$

                                      where
                                      $$
                                      s = frac{1}{52^2} + frac{1}{56^2} + cdots + frac{1}{96^2} =
                                      frac{1}{16}left(frac{1}{13^2} + frac{1}{14^2} + cdots + frac{1}{24^2}right).
                                      $$

                                      Telescoping,
                                      begin{align*}
                                      16s & <
                                      frac{1}{12cdot13} + frac{1}{13cdot14} + cdots + frac{1}{23cdot24}
                                      = frac{1}{24}, \
                                      16s & >
                                      frac{1}{13cdot14} + frac{1}{14cdot15} + cdots + frac{1}{24cdot25}
                                      = frac{12}{325},
                                      end{align*}

                                      therefore
                                      $$
                                      1 - frac{1}{384} < k < frac{1}{1 + frac{3}{1300}},
                                      $$

                                      as required. $square$



                                      The number we wish to approximate is
                                      $$
                                      P = frac{1}{2}cdotfrac{3}{4}cdotfrac{5}{6}cdotsfrac{99}{100}
                                      = frac{51cdot53cdot55cdots97cdot99}{2^{25}cdot4cdot8cdot12cdots96cdot100}
                                      = kQ,
                                      $$

                                      where
                                      begin{gather*}
                                      Q = frac{52^2cdot56^2cdots96^2cdot99}{2^{75}cdot25!}
                                      = frac{13cdot14cdots24cdot99}{2^{27}cdot12!cdot25}
                                      = frac{13cdot15cdot17cdot19cdot21cdot23cdot99}{2^{21}cdot6!cdot25} \
                                      = frac{7cdot13cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot99}{2^{25}cdot25}.
                                      end{gather*}

                                      Therefore, using the bounds obtained for $k$ in the lemma,
                                      begin{equation}
                                      tag{$1$}label{ineq:1}
                                      frac{7cdot13cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot33cdot383}{2^{32}cdot25}
                                      < P <
                                      frac{7cdot13^2cdot17cdot19cdot23cdot99}{2^{23}cdot1303}.
                                      end{equation}

                                      Although this is well within the range of easy hand calculation, I lazily used a calculator for most of the work (only doubling $2^{22}cdot1303 = 5{,}465{,}178{,}112$ at the last stage by hand), to get
                                      begin{equation}
                                      tag{$2$}label{ineq:2}
                                      frac{8{,}544{,}456{,}921}{107{,}374{,}182{,}400} < P < frac{870{,}062{,}193}{10{,}930{,}356{,}224}.
                                      end{equation}

                                      Approximately, rounding up and down again,
                                      $$
                                      0.079576 < P < 0.079601.
                                      $$

                                      One way to "simplify" eqref{ineq:1} (although it seems simpler to me to calculate eqref{ineq:2} and be done with it!) is as follows:



                                      For the upper bound, observe that $7cdot13cdot19 = 1729 = 1 + 12^3$ (famously!), and $1302 = 2cdot3cdot7cdot31$, so
                                      $$
                                      frac{7cdot13cdot19}{1303} < frac{1728}{2cdot3cdot7cdot31} = frac{288}{217} < frac{288}{216} = frac{4}{3},
                                      $$

                                      (as one can now easily verify with hindsight), therefore
                                      $$
                                      P < frac{13cdot17cdot23cdot99}{2^{21}cdot3} < frac{17cdot300cdot100}{2^{11}cdot3cdot1000} = frac{85}{1024} < frac{1}{12}.
                                      $$



                                      For the lower bound, first simplify $Q$ by noticing that $7cdot17cdot19cdot23 = 52003 > 52000 = 2^5cdot5^3cdot13$, whence
                                      $$
                                      Q > frac{5cdot13^2cdot99}{2^{20}} = frac{5cdot13cdot1287}{2^{20}} > frac{5cdot13cdot1280}{2^{20}} = frac{5^2cdot13}{2^{12}},
                                      $$

                                      and then, instead of using the lower bound from the lemma directly, weaken it to $P > frac{64}{65}Q$, which gives
                                      $$
                                      P > frac{5}{64} > frac{1}{13}.
                                      $$





                                      For a better idea of the precision of this calculation, we can rewrite eqref{ineq:2} as
                                      $$
                                      frac{489{,}609{,}908}{870{,}062{,}193}
                                      < frac{1}{P} - 12 <
                                      frac{4{,}840{,}699{,}348}{8{,}544{,}456{,}921},
                                      $$

                                      whence (this could be done by hand, although again I used a calculator)
                                      $$
                                      frac{1}{12.57} < P < frac{1}{12.56}.
                                      $$







                                      share|cite|improve this answer














                                      share|cite|improve this answer



                                      share|cite|improve this answer








                                      edited Nov 20 at 17:24

























                                      answered Nov 20 at 0:47









                                      Calum Gilhooley

                                      4,097529




                                      4,097529






























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