Clarification : The signs alternate between addition ( ) and subtraction ( ).
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Let x = 7 + 7 − 7 + 7 − . . .
Squaring both sides,
x 2 = 7 + 7 − 7 + 7 − . . . ⟹ x 2 − 7 = 7 − 7 + 7 − . . .
Once again, by squaring both sides,
( x 2 − 7 ) 2 = 7 − 7 + 7 − . . . ⟹ ( x 2 − 7 ) 2 − 7 = − ( 7 + 7 − . . . ) ⟹ ( x 2 − 7 ) 2 − 7 = − x
⟹ x 4 − 1 4 x 2 + x + 4 2 = 0
Using the rational root theorem, we find that x = 3 is a root of the polynomial as well as in the options. Hence, x = 3 ⟹ 7 + 7 − 7 + 7 − . . . = 3 .
For those who are wondering about the three other roots: After using the rational root theorem rigorously, I noticed that x = 3 and x = − 2 are two of the integral roots of this bi-quadratic function. For obtaining the other two roots, I divided ( x 4 − 1 4 x 2 + x + 4 2 ) by ( x − 3 ) ( x + 2 ) and got ( x 2 + x − 7 ) as the quotient and no remainder. Now using the quadratic formula, we have x = 2 1 ( − 1 ± 2 9 ) . Hence, the three other roots of this bi- quadratic functions are − 2 , 2 1 ( − 1 + 2 9 ) , 2 1 ( − 1 − 2 9 ) .