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# For which of the following values of x is (1 - (2 - x^(1/2))^(1/2))

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Joined: 06 Aug 2007
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Location: Montreal
For which of the following values of x is (1 - (2 - x^(1/2))^(1/2))  [#permalink]

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Updated on: 11 Oct 2019, 06:14
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Question Stats:

66% (00:57) correct 34% (01:03) wrong based on 1019 sessions

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For which of the following values of x is $$\sqrt{1-\sqrt{2-\sqrt{x}}}$$ NOT defined as a real number?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

Originally posted by Safiya on 24 Aug 2010, 12:41.
Last edited by Bunuel on 11 Oct 2019, 06:14, edited 2 times in total.
Edited the question
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Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 59144
For which of the following values of x is (1 - (2 - x^(1/2))^(1/2))  [#permalink]

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24 Aug 2010, 12:49
5
12
For which of the following values of x is $$\sqrt{1-\sqrt{2-\sqrt{x}}}$$ NOT defined as a real number?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

Real Numbers are: Integers, Fractions and Irrational Numbers. Non-real numbers are even roots (such as square roots) of negative numbers.

We have $$\sqrt{1-\sqrt{2-\sqrt{x}}}$$. For $${x=5}$$ expression becomes:$$\sqrt{1-\sqrt{2-\sqrt{5}}}$$ and $$2-\sqrt{5}<0$$, thus square root from this expression is not a real number.

Answer: E.

Hope it helps.
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Intern
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Re: For which of the following values of x is (1 - (2 - x^(1/2))^(1/2))  [#permalink]

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24 Aug 2010, 13:04
It helped indeed, thank you very much!
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Re: For which of the following values of x is (1 - (2 - x^(1/2))^(1/2))  [#permalink]

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20 Dec 2010, 01:18
Bunuel -

So the approach to problems such as this one is to work your way from the most inner root, out toward the main root? Always keeping track of whether the underlying roots are (1) negative (2) are larger than the main root.
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Posts: 59144
Re: For which of the following values of x is (1 - (2 - x^(1/2))^(1/2))  [#permalink]

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20 Dec 2010, 01:35
11
5
tonebeeze wrote:
Bunuel -

So the approach to problems such as this one is to work your way from the most inner root, out toward the main root? Always keeping track of whether the underlying roots are (1) negative (2) are larger than the main root.

Consider another example: For which of the following values of x $$\sqrt{1-\sqrt{4-\sqrt{x}}}$$ is NOT defined as a real number?

A. 16
B. 12
C.10
D. 9
E. 4

First see whether $$4-\sqrt{x}$$ could be negative for some value of $$x$$ so you should test max value of $$x$$: $$4-\sqrt{x_{max}}=4-\sqrt{16}=0$$. As it's not negative then see whether $$1-\sqrt{4-\sqrt{x}}$$ can be negative for some value of $$x$$, so you should test min value of $$x$$ to maximize $$4-\sqrt{x}$$: $$1-\sqrt{4-\sqrt{x_{min}}}=1-\sqrt{4-\sqrt{4}}=1-1.41=-0.41<0$$.

Answer E.

Hope it's clear.
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Re: For which of the following values of x is (1 - (2 - x^(1/2))^(1/2))  [#permalink]

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20 Dec 2010, 02:02
Great visual explanation. I now understand. Thanks for taking the time to help.
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Re: For which of the following values of x is (1 - (2 - x^(1/2))^(1/2))  [#permalink]

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16 May 2012, 04:27
1
I don't understand how did you came from $$\sqrt{1-\sqrt{2-\sqrt{5}}} to 2-\sqrt{5}<0$$ ?
I would appreciate if you explain, because I'm obviously missing something.
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Re: For which of the following values of x is (1 - (2 - x^(1/2))^(1/2))  [#permalink]

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16 May 2012, 04:41
1
Stiv wrote:
I don't understand how did you came from $$\sqrt{1-\sqrt{2-\sqrt{5}}} to 2-\sqrt{5}<0$$ ?
I would appreciate if you explain, because I'm obviously missing something.

If $${x=5}$$ then the expression becomes:$$\sqrt{1-\sqrt{2-\sqrt{5}}}$$. The expression under the second square root is $$2-\sqrt{5}$$. Now, since $$2-\sqrt{5}<0$$ then the square root from this expression is not a real number.

Hope it's clear.
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Re: For which of the following values of x is (1 - (2 - x^(1/2))^(1/2))  [#permalink]

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16 May 2012, 05:58
O yes,yes,yes... thanks! Sometimes I just look at numbers and don't see anything no matter how obvious it is.
I need a break!
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Re: For which of the following values of x is (1 - (2 - x^(1/2))^(1/2))  [#permalink]

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15 Jul 2015, 21:29
1
Safiya wrote:
For which of the following values of x is $$\sqrt{1-\sqrt{2-\sqrt{x}}}$$ NOT defined as a real number?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

CONCEPT: Any Number is considered NON-REAL if the number under the square root is negative (i.e.√(-ve)) .

Such questions require us to check the smallest or highest values among option because at the extremes only the number will result in Real or NON-Real

Here, We need to check the highest value because x is being subtracted from other numbers

@x=5 (Option E)

√[1−√(2−√x)] = √[1−√(2−√5)] = √[1−√(2−2.2)] = √[1−√(-ve)] i.e. NON-REAL Number
Hence, Correct Option

Answer: Option E
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Re: For which of the following values of x is (1 - (2 - x^(1/2))^(1/2))  [#permalink]

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14 Jun 2018, 10:28
Safiya wrote:
For which of the following values of x is $$\sqrt{1-\sqrt{2-\sqrt{x}}}$$ NOT defined as a real number?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

We need to find the value of x that leaves us with a negative value under the root sign, which would not be defined as a number.

We see that if x = 5, then 2 - √5 < 0, so √(2 - √5) will not be a real number.

Answer: E
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Re: Sqrt Q  [#permalink]

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11 Oct 2019, 06:11
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