Problem 395
Medium Infinite Products

Given that Euler's product sin x=x product from k=1 to ()

Given that Euler's product $\sin x=x\prod_{k=1}^\infty\left(1-\dfrac{x^2}{k^2\pi^2}\right)$ holds for complex $x$, and using the relationship between $\sin x$ and $\sinh x$, show that $$ \sinh x = x\prod_{k=1}^{\infty}\left(1+\frac{x^2}{k^2\pi^2}\right). $$

Explanation of Method

The identity $\sinh x=-i\sin(ix)$ lets us obtain the hyperbolic product directly from the (complex-valid) sine product by substituting $x\to ix$: since $(ix)^2=-x^2$, every minus sign inside the product flips to a plus sign.

  1. Recall $\sin(ix)=i\sinh x$, i.e. $\sinh x=-i\sin(ix)$.
  2. Substitute $x\to ix$ into Euler's sine product.
  3. Simplify using $i^2=-1$ and solve for $\sinh x$.

Step 1 · Substitute $x\to ix$

$$ \sin(ix) = ix\prod_{k=1}^\infty\left(1-\frac{(ix)^2}{k^2\pi^2}\right) = ix\prod_{k=1}^\infty\left(1-\frac{-x^2}{k^2\pi^2}\right) = ix\prod_{k=1}^\infty\left(1+\frac{x^2}{k^2\pi^2}\right). $$

Step 2 · Solve for $\sinh x$

Using $\sinh x=-i\sin(ix)$: $$ \sinh x = -i\cdot ix\prod_{k=1}^\infty\left(1+\frac{x^2}{k^2\pi^2}\right) = -i^2x\prod_{k=1}^\infty\left(1+\frac{x^2}{k^2\pi^2}\right). $$ Since $-i^2=1$: $$ \boxed{\sinh x = x\prod_{k=1}^{\infty}\left(1+\frac{x^2}{k^2\pi^2}\right)} $$ (Numerical check at $x=0.7$: partial product to $10^5$ terms gives $\approx0.758583$, matching $\sinh(0.7)\approx0.758584$. Series-expansion check: the coefficient of $x^3$ from the product is $\sum1/(k^2\pi^2)=\tfrac1{\pi^2}\cdot\tfrac{\pi^2}6=\tfrac16$, matching $\sinh x$'s own coefficient $1/3!=1/6$.)

Step 3 · Zero-location check

The product's zeros occur where $1+x^2/(k^2\pi^2)=0$, i.e. $x=\pm ik\pi$ — purely imaginary, consistent with $\sinh(ik\pi)=i\sin(k\pi)=0$. This confirms the product reproduces exactly the (complex) zero set of $\sinh x$.


Summary Table

FunctionInfinite product
$\sin x$$x\prod_{k\ge1}\left(1-\dfrac{x^2}{k^2\pi^2}\right)$
$\sinh x$$x\prod_{k\ge1}\left(1+\dfrac{x^2}{k^2\pi^2}\right)$

Additional Notes

Result

$$ \sinh x = x\prod_{k=1}^{\infty}\left(1+\frac{x^2}{k^2\pi^2}\right). $$