Arbitrary-precision computation of the gamma function

Abstract

We discuss the best methods available for computing the gamma function $\Gamma(z)$ in arbitrary-precision arithmetic with rigorous error bounds. We address different cases: rational, algebraic, real or complex arguments; large or small arguments; low or high precision; with or without precomputation. The methods also cover the log-gamma function $\log \Gamma(z)$, the digamma function $\psi(z)$, and derivatives $\Gamma^{(n)}(z)$ and $\psi^{(n)}(z)$. Besides attempting to summarize the existing state of the art, we present some new formulas, estimates, bounds and algorithmic improvements and discuss implementation results.