[Math] Proof that the following sequence converges to $\sqrt{2}$

calculusreal-analysis

I am trying to prove that that $\lim_{i \to \infty} x_i = \sqrt{2}$ where $x_0 = 1$ and $x_{i+1} = 1 + \frac{1}{1 + x_i}$.

It's easy to show that if there is a limit $x^*$ that it must be equal to $\sqrt{2}$ since $$x^* = 1 + \frac{1}{1 + x^*}$$ implies $x^* = \pm \sqrt{2}$. And the sequence is strictly positive which rules out $-\sqrt{2}$.

However, while I am able to show what the limit must be if it exists, I am not able to prove that the sequence actually does converge to a limit.

Some things I know about the sequence are:

  1. It's bounded between 1 and 3/2 and its elements oscillate above and below the $\sqrt{2}$ limit.
  2. The even elements of the sequence appear to be monotonically increasing while the odd elements appear to be monotonically decreasing. Therefore the even and odd sequences must both converge (though not necessarily to the same limit) since they are bounded above/below, respectively.

Any tips for how to prove convergence is appreciated.

Best Answer

HINT:

$$\frac{x_{n+1} - \sqrt{2}}{x_n -\sqrt{2}}= \frac{1-\sqrt{2}}{1+x_n}$$

Or, for $y_n= x_n -1$, the recurrence $y_0 = 0$ and $y_{n+1} = \frac{1}{2 + y_n}$, so $y_n$ is the sequence of partial quotients of the number $[0;2,2,2,\ldots] = \sqrt{2}-1$.

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