IMSL C Math Library
gamma_incomplete
Evaluates the incomplete gamma function γ(a, x).
Synopsis
#include <imsl.h>
float imsl_f_gamma_incomplete (float a, float x)
The type double procedure is imsl_d_gamma_incomplete.
Required Arguments
float a (Input)
Parameter of the incomplete gamma function is to be evaluated. It must be positive.
float x (Input)
Point at which the incomplete gamma function is to be evaluated. It must be nonnegative.
Return Value
The value of the incomplete gamma function γ(a, x).
Description
The incomplete gamma function, γ(a, x), is defined to be
The incomplete gamma function is defined only for a > 0. Although γ (a, x) is well defined for x > -∞, this algorithm does not calculate γ(a, x) for negative x. For large a and sufficiently large xγ(a, x) may overflow. γ(a, x) is bounded by Γ (a), and users may find this bound a useful guide in determining legal values for a.
Figure 9.15 — Plot of γ(a, x)
Example
Evaluate the incomplete gamma function at a = 1 and x = 3.
 
#include <stdio.h>
#include <imsl.h>
 
int main()
{ float x = 3.0;
 
float a = 1.0;
float ans;
 
ans = imsl_f_gamma_incomplete(a, x);
printf("incomplete gamma(%f,%f) = %f\n", a, x, ans);
}
Output
 
incomplete gamma(1.000000,3.000000) = 0.950213
Fatal Errors
IMSL_NO_CONV_200_TS_TERMS
The function did not converge in 200 terms of Taylor series.
IMSL_NO_CONV_200_CF_TERMS
The function did not converge in 200 terms of the continued fraction.