What is n?

Algebra Level 5

x + 2 x + 2 x + + 2 x + 2 3 x n radical signs = x \underbrace{ \sqrt{ x+2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+\ldots +2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{3x}}}}}}_{\large \text{ n radical signs }}=x

Find the average of all the real roots of the equation above for a natural number n > 1 n>1 .

3 1.5 It depends on n n 0

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2 solutions

Sandeep Bhardwaj
Oct 12, 2015

We are given that x + 2 x + 2 x + + 2 x + 2 3 x n radical signs = x \underbrace{ \sqrt{ x+2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+\ldots +2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{3x}}}}}}_{\large \text{ n radical signs }}=x

Rewrite the given equation as x + 2 x + 2 x + + 2 x + 2 x + 2 x n radical signs = x ( 1 ) \underbrace{ \sqrt{ x+2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+\ldots +2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+2x}}}}}}_{\large \text{ n radical signs }}=x \qquad (1)

On replacing the last letter x x on the LHS of the equation (1) by the value of x x expressed by equation (1), we get x + 2 x + 2 x + + 2 x + 2 x + 2 x 2n radical signs = x \underbrace{ \sqrt{ x+2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+\ldots +2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+2x}}}}}}_{\large \text{ 2n radical signs }}=x

Further lets replace the last letter x x by the same expression; again and again yields x + 2 x + 2 x + + 2 x + 2 x + 2 x 3n radical signs = x \underbrace{ \sqrt{ x+2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+\ldots +2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+2x}}}}}}_{\large \text{ 3n radical signs }}=x

x + 2 x + 2 x + + 2 x + 2 x + 2 x 4n radical signs = x . . . . \underbrace{ \sqrt{ x+2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+\ldots +2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+2x}}}}}}_{\large \text{ 4n radical signs }}=x \\ . \\ . \\ . \\ .

Hence we can write x = x + 2 x + 2 x + x=\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{}x+\ldots}}

Now it follows that, x = x + 2 ( x + 2 x + 2 x + ) = x + 2 x x=\sqrt{x+2 \left( \sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+2\sqrt{x+\ldots}}}\right) }=\sqrt{x+2x}

Now squaring both sides, we get x 2 = x + 2 x x 2 3 x = 0 x = 0 , 3 x^2=x+2x \Rightarrow x^2-3x=0 \Rightarrow x=0,3 .

Now by putting the values x = 0 , 3 x=0,3 in the original equation, we get that both the values satisfy the original equation. Hence verified the obtained solutions!.

Therefore the average of all the real roots is 0 + 3 2 = 1.5 \dfrac{0+3}{2}=1.5 . \square

enjoy!

Moderator note:

You should still verify that x = 0 , 3 x = 0, 3 are indeed solutions to the original equation. Esp with squaring an equation, you may introduce new solutions.

Note: You should still verify that x = 0 , 3 x = 0, 3 are indeed solutions to the original equation. Esp with squaring an equation, you may introduce new solutions.

Calvin Lin Staff - 5 years, 8 months ago

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Agreed! Thanks!

Sandeep Bhardwaj - 5 years, 8 months ago

Cool solution sir +1.

Rishabh Tiwari - 5 years ago

Well done sir,same method....+1!!

rajdeep brahma - 3 years, 2 months ago
Samarth Agarwal
Oct 7, 2015

I think there should not be a "3" in the last radical. then the roots will come as 0,3 which average to 1.5

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Calvin Lin Staff - 5 years, 8 months ago

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