$\sqrt{2\sqrt{2\sqrt{2\sqrt{2\sqrt{2}}}}} = $x$
Aptitude
Surds and Indices
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
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A$2^{\frac{29}{31}}$
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B$2^{\frac{31}{32}}$
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C$2^{\frac{9}{2}}$
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D$2^{\frac{11}{2}}$
Answer
Correct Answer: $2^{\frac{31}{32}}$
Explanation
### Concept & Formula
This question requires solving a finite series of nested square roots of the same number. There is a direct algebraic formula to resolve these specific structures instantly.
$$ \sqrt{a\sqrt{a\sqrt{a...\text{n times}}}} = a^{\frac{2^n-1}{2^n}} $$
### Step-by-Step Solution
* **Given:**
The expression is $\sqrt{2\sqrt{2\sqrt{2\sqrt{2\sqrt{2}}}}}$.
* **Calculation:**
1. Identify the repeating base value ($a$) and the total number of square roots ($n$).
$a = 2$
$n = 5$
2. Calculate the denominator for the fractional exponent, which is $2^n$:
$2^5 = 32$
3. Calculate the numerator for the fractional exponent, which is $2^n - 1$:
$32 - 1 = 31$
4. Substitute these values into the standard formula:
$2^{\frac{31}{32}}$
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Do not attempt to solve this from the inside out manually during an exam. Simply count the number of radical signs. There are $5$ roots. Calculate $2^5 = 32$. The power of the base number will always be a fraction where the denominator is this result ($32$), and the numerator is exactly one less ($31$). This immediately points to option (b).
### Common Pitfall
A frequent mistake is confusing this finite nested root structure with an infinite nested root structure ($\sqrt{2\sqrt{2...}}$ to infinity). For an infinite series, the answer is simply the base number itself ($2$). Always check if the series terminates.
### Final Answer
**Therefore, the correct answer is $2^{\frac{31}{32}}$.**