Product of uniform distribution and Stirling numbers of the first kind (Q2505359): Difference between revisions

Let \(U_j\), \(j=1,2,\dots\) be independent random variables distributed uniformly on (0,1). The author considers the product \(V_k= U_1U_2\dots U_k,k>1\), and discusses some of its applications to combinatorial analysis and the Riemann zeta function \(\zeta(k)\), including a probabilistic proof of a formula of Euler. Letting \(s(n,k)\) be the unsigned Stirling numbers of the first kind, \(\zeta_n(r)=\sum_{j\geq 1}^n(1/j^r)\), \(r>1\), and \(H_n=\zeta_n(1)\), he shows, among other results, the following: \(\sum_{n\geq k}[s(n,k) /(n+m)!]=(m!)^{-1} (m)^{-k}\), \(\sum_{n\geq k}[s(n,k)/n(n+m)!]=(m!)^{-1}\) \([\zeta (k+1)-\zeta_m(k+1)]\), and \(2\sum_{n\geq 1}(H_n/n^{k-1})= (k+1) \zeta(k)-\sum_{i=2}^{k-2}\zeta(i)\zeta(k-1)\), \(k>3\).