$f_1(x) = \sqrt x$ and $f_{n+1}(x) = \sqrt {x + f_n(x)}$

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For $x ≥ 0$, define $f_1(x) = \sqrt x$ and $f_{n+1}(x) = \sqrt {x + f_n(x)}$.

Prove that

$(a)$ $f_n(0) = 0$ and $0 < f_n(x) < f_{n+1}(x) < 1 + x$ for all $n$ and when $x > 0$.

$(b)$ $f_n $ converges uniformly on any closed interval $[a, b]$ such that $0 < a < b$, but not on $[0,1]$.

I have proved part $(a)$ but unable to do part $(b)$ .

I think that the sequence $f_n$ converges to $1+b$ on any closed interval $[a, b]$.

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Hint

Let $g(x,t)=\sqrt{x+t}$ for $x\geq0$ and $t\geq 0$.

let $ x>0$ . By derivative,

$t \;\mapsto g(x,t) $ is increasing at $[0,+\infty)$,

and

$f_2(x)=\sqrt{x+\sqrt{x}}>f_1(x)$

thus

$(f_n(x))_n$ is increasing.

on the other, the positive fixed point of $t\mapsto g(x,t)$ is

$$F(x)=\frac{1+\sqrt{1+4x}}{2}>f_1(x)$$

So, by induction

$$(\forall n>0) \;\; 0<f_n(x)\leq F(x)$$

$(f_n(x))_n$ is increasing bounded

$\implies$ it converges to the fixed point.

finally,

$\forall x>0 $

$\lim_{n\to+\infty}f_n(x)=\frac{1+\sqrt{1+4x}}{2}=F(x)$.

and $F(0)=0$.

Observe that $F$ is discontinuous at $0$ and since all the $f_n$ are continuous at $ [0,1]$.(By induction), $(f_n)_n$ doesn't converge uniformly at $[0,1]$.

Let us look at the convergence at $[a,b]$.

$(\forall x\in [a,b] )\;\; (\forall n\geq 1)$

$$|f_{n+1}(x)-F(x)|=$$

$$|g(f_n(x))-g(F(x))|$$

$$=\frac{|f_n(x)-F(x)|}{\sqrt{x+f_n(x)}+\sqrt{x+F(x)}}$$

$$\leq \frac{1}{2\sqrt{a}}|f_n(x)-F(x)|$$

$$\leq \frac{ 1} { (2\sqrt{a })^n}|f_1(x)-F(x)|$$

$$\leq \frac{1}{(2\sqrt{a})^n}M$$

where

$$M=\sup_{x\in[a,b]}f_1(x)+\sup_{x\in[a,b]}F(x).$$

$\implies$

$$\sup_{x\in[a,b]}|f_n(x)-F(x)|\leq\frac{M}{(2\sqrt{a})^n}.$$

As $a>1$, The convergence is uniform at$ [a,b]$.