Question

\( \sqrt {x+\sqrt {x+\sqrt {x+\sqrt {x+\sqrt {x+\sqrt {x.....}}}}}} \)

Ask by Reed Gibson. in South Africa
Feb 20,2025

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Answer

The solution to the expression \( \sqrt{x + \sqrt{x + \sqrt{x + \sqrt{x + \sqrt{x + \sqrt{x + \ldots}}}}}} \) is: \[ \frac{1 + \sqrt{1 + 4x}}{2} \]

Solution

To solve the expression \[ y = \sqrt{x + \sqrt{x + \sqrt{x + \sqrt{x + \sqrt{x + \sqrt{x + \ldots}}}}}} \] we can set up an equation based on the recursive nature of the expression. Since the expression inside the square root is the same as \(y\), we can write: \[ y = \sqrt{x + y} \] Next, we will square both sides to eliminate the square root: \[ y^2 = x + y \] Now, we can rearrange this equation to form a standard quadratic equation: \[ y^2 - y - x = 0 \] We can solve this quadratic equation using the quadratic formula: \[ y = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \] where \(a = 1\), \(b = -1\), and \(c = -x\). Plugging in these values, we get: \[ y = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{(-1)^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot (-x)}}{2 \cdot 1} \] This simplifies to: \[ y = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{1 + 4x}}{2} \] Since \(y\) represents a length (as it is derived from a square root), we only consider the positive root: \[ y = \frac{1 + \sqrt{1 + 4x}}{2} \] Thus, the solution to the original expression is: \[ \sqrt{x + \sqrt{x + \sqrt{x + \ldots}}} = \frac{1 + \sqrt{1 + 4x}}{2} \]

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Mind Expander

This fascinating expression defines a recursive relationship! If we let \( y = \sqrt {x+\sqrt {x+\sqrt {x+\sqrt {x+\sqrt {x+\sqrt {x.....}}}}}} \), we can notice that the inner expression is actually the same as \( y \) itself. Therefore, we can rewrite it as: \[ y = \sqrt{x+y} \] By squaring both sides, we get: \[ y^2 = x + y \] Rearranging this gives us the quadratic equation: \[ y^2 - y - x = 0 \] Using the quadratic formula \( y = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \), where \( a = 1, b = -1, c = -x \), we can solve for \( y \) as: \[ y = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{1 + 4x}}{2} \] Since \( y \) must be non-negative, we choose the positive root: \[ y = \frac{1 + \sqrt{1 + 4x}}{2} \] This is the result of the nested radical! Now, for some real-world applications: this kind of infinite radical is often used in mathematical modeling, such as looking at recursive processes in computer science or predicting growth trends in economics. It showcases how seemingly complex problems can unravel simply through algebraic manipulation!

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