[Math] If $x_1=\sqrt 2$ and $x_{n+1}=(\sqrt2)^{x_n}$ then sequence $x_n$ converges to 2.

real-analysissequences-and-series

If $x_1=\sqrt 2$ and $x_{n+1}=(\sqrt2)^{x_n}$ then show that sequence $x_n$ converges to 2.

I know this sequence is monotonically increasing. But how to prove it converges to 2?

The sequence is bounded above is already answered here. And I know that$\sqrt 2 ^l=l$ has only solution 2. But how to prove formally? Thanks.

Best Answer

Here is a formal way considering $f(x) = \left( \sqrt{2}\right)^x$ and using MVP:

  • On $[1,2]$ we have $0 < f'(x)= \ln{\sqrt{2}}\left( \sqrt{2}\right)^x \leq 2 \ln{\sqrt{2}} < 2 \cdot \frac{2}{5}= \frac{4}{5}$ $$0 \leq 2 - x_{n+1} = \left( \sqrt{2}\right)^2 - \left( \sqrt{2}\right)^{x_n} = f'(\xi_n)(2-x_n) < \frac{4}{5}(2-x_n)$$

It follows $$0 \leq 2 - x_{n+1} < \left(\frac{4}{5}\right)^n (2-x_1)\stackrel{n \to \infty}{\longrightarrow} 0 \Rightarrow \boxed{\lim_{n \to \infty}x_n = 2}$$

To sum this up:

  • $f$ maps $[1,2]$ into $[1,2]$ and, hence, has a fixpoint there.
  • The fixpoint is unique as $|f'(x)| \leq q < 1$ on $[1,2]$.
  • For any starting value $x_1 \in [1,2]$ the iteration $x_{n+1} = f(x_n)$ will converge to the fixpoint which is the solution of $x = f(x)$ on $[1,2]\Leftrightarrow x=2$