Apéry's constant

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Apéry's constant is the value $\zeta(3)=\displaystyle\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \dfrac{1}{k^3},$ where $\zeta$ denotes the Riemann zeta function. This constant is notable because it is known in general that for integers $n$, $\zeta(2n)$ is a rational multiple of $\pi$ but no "nice" closed formula exists for values $\zeta(2n+1)$. Hence it became a notorious open problem to find $\zeta$ at odd integers.

Properties

Theorem: The following formula holds: $$\displaystyle\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{2}} x \log(\sin(x)) dx = \dfrac{7}{16}\zeta(3) - \dfrac{\pi^2}{8} \log(2).$$

Proof:

Theorem: (Apéry) The number $\zeta(3)$ is irrational.

Proof:

References

An Elementary Proof of of Apéry's Theorem