The question is to evaluate $\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\cdots }}}}$
$$x=\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\cdots }}}}$$
$$x^2=2+\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\cdots }}}}$$
$$x^2=2+x$$
$$x^2-x-2=0$$
$$(x-2)(x+1)=0$$
$$x=2,-1$$
because $x$ is positive $x=2$ is the answer. but where did the $x=-1$ come from ?
Answer
$x=\sqrt{2+\underbrace{\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\cdots}}}}_{\text{$x$}}}$, so we get $x=\sqrt{2+x}$.
Now there is only one solution. If we square both sides, we add the case $-x=\sqrt{2+x}$
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