How do I find the limit of a geometric sequence?

[d125q]

The following limit is to be solved:

$$
\lim_{n\to\infty}(\sqrt{2} \cdot \sqrt[4]{2} \cdot \sqrt[8]{2} \cdot \sqrt[16]{2} \cdot … \cdot \sqrt[2^n]{2})
$$
all of my attempts to (properly) solve it so far have been futile.

And help will be greatly appreciated!

EDIT: Perhaps this should go to precalc? It's the first time I'm posting here-- so please go easy on me.

 

[pierce15]

The following limit is to be solved:

$$
\lim_{n\to\infty}(\sqrt{2} \cdot \sqrt[4]{2} \cdot \sqrt[8]{2} \cdot \sqrt[16]{2} \cdot … \cdot \sqrt[2^n]{2})
$$
and I am absolutely clueless about coming up with a solution.

And help will be greatly appreciated!

First, I would rewrite this with the pi operator to clean things up:

\prod\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} 2^{\frac{1}{2^n}}

Let's see when you multiply the first two together:

2^{1/2}*2^1/4=2^{1/2+1/4}

If you multiply the next one:
2^{1/2+1/4}*2^{1/8}=2^{1/2+1/4+1/8}

As you can see, this:
\prod\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} 2^{\frac{1}{2^n}}
Is equivalent to:
\sum_{n=1}^\infty 2^{1/2^n}

See where this goes?

 

[d125q]

As you can see, this:
\prod\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} 2^{\frac{1}{2^n}}
Is equivalent to:
\sum_{n=1}^\infty 2^{1/2^n}

See where this goes?

If logic serves me well, 1 / 2^n approaches zero, so the whole product equals 1. Is that right (sorry, but I'm rather dizzy right now)?

Thanks a million!

 

[Ray Vickson]

First, I would rewrite this with the pi operator to clean things up:

\prod\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} 2^{\frac{1}{2^n}}

Let's see when you multiply the first two together:

2^{1/2}*2^1/4=2^{1/2+1/4}

If you multiply the next one:
2^{1/2+1/4}*2^{1/8}=2^{1/2+1/4+1/8}

As you can see, this:
\prod\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} 2^{\frac{1}{2^n}}
Is equivalent to:
\sum_{n=1}^\infty 2^{1/2^n}

See where this goes?

No: it is equivalent to
2^{\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/2^n}.

RGV

 

[d125q]

No: it is equivalent to
2^{\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/2^n}.

RGV

Indeed. I am still in high school, so we kind of shun the sigma and pi operators, but they surely make the whole deal a lot easier.

So, does my above post stand?

 

[Ray Vickson]

Indeed. I am still in high school, so we kind of shun the sigma and pi operators, but they surely make the whole deal a lot easier.

So, does my above post stand?

Parts of it stand, yes, but your final expression is incorrect, as I have plainly indicated. Your sum is infinite, but the correct answer is finite (and not very large).

RGV

 

[d125q]

Oh, damn. I must be blind. So,
\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2^n} = \frac{\frac{1}{2}}{1 - \frac{1}{2}} = 1
in which case,

2^{\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2^n}} = 2
You're awesome, guys.

 

[pierce15]

No: it is equivalent to
2^{\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} 1/2^n}.

RGV

Nice catch, my bad.

 

[pierce15]

Indeed. I am still in high school, so we kind of shun the sigma and pi operators, but they surely make the whole deal a lot easier.

I'm a sophomore in high school :p