MathDB
Many Square Roots

Source:

April 6, 2008

Problem Statement

Solve the equation \sqrt {x \plus{} \sqrt {4x \plus{} \sqrt {16x \plus{} \sqrt {\dotsc \plus{} \sqrt {4^{2008}x \plus{} 3}}}}} \minus{} \sqrt {x} \equal{} 1. Express your answer as a reduced fraction with the numerator and denominator written in their prime factorization.