Infinite nested radical evaluation

CAT 2005 Slot 1 · QA · Medium · Algebra

Let x=4+44+4 to infinityx = \sqrt{4 + \sqrt{4 - \sqrt{4 + \sqrt{4 - \dots \text{ to infinity}}}}}. Then xx equals

  1. A.

    3

  2. B.

    1312\frac{\sqrt{13} - 1}{2}

  3. C.

    13+12\frac{\sqrt{13} + 1}{2}

  4. D.

    13\sqrt{13}

Answer

C

Explanation

Let y=4xy = \sqrt{4 - x}. Then x=4+yx = \sqrt{4 + y}. Squaring both equations: x2=4+yx^2 = 4 + y and y2=4xy^2 = 4 - x. Subtracting: x2y2=x+y    (xy)(x+y)=x+yx^2 - y^2 = x + y \implies (x - y)(x + y) = x + y. Since x+y0x + y \ne 0, xy=1    y=x1x - y = 1 \implies y = x - 1. Substitute into x2=4+y=4+x1=3+xx^2 = 4 + y = 4 + x - 1 = 3 + x. x2x3=0x^2 - x - 3 = 0. By quadratic formula: x=1+1+122=13+12x = \frac{1 + \sqrt{1 + 12}}{2} = \frac{\sqrt{13} + 1}{2}.

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