TITLE: Proof $\lim\limits_{n \rightarrow \infty} {\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\cdots+\sqrt{2}}}}=2$ using Banach's Fixed Point
QUESTION [7 upvotes]: I'd like to prove  $\lim\limits_{n \rightarrow \infty} \underbrace{\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\cdots+\sqrt{2}}}}_{n\textrm{ square roots}}=2$ using Banach's Fixed Point theorem. 
I think I should use the function $f(x)=\sqrt{2+x}$. This way, if I start the iterations for example with $x_0=0$, I will have $x_1=\sqrt2$. When I calculate $x_2$ I will get $\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2}}$. And $x_3 = \sqrt{2+\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2}}}$ and so on. I can see that these iterations are monotone increasing, but how can I show that this converges to 2?
Pseudo-related formula I found: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vieta_formula
Many thanks in advance!

Following clark's advice, here's my proof this is a contraction. I'm using the interval $D=[0, 2]$.
$f'(x)=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{x+2}}$, which is monotone decreasing. This means its highest value in $D$ is $0$. $f'(0)=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{2}} < 1$. The rate $M$ of the contraction is then $\frac{1}{2\sqrt{2}}$.

REPLY [2 votes]: This doesn't answer your question, but it might be of interest:
Define que sequence $\{x_n\}$ by 
$$\begin{cases} x_0=0 \cr x_n = \sqrt{k+x_{n-1}}\end{cases}$$
with $k>0$
I claim that $$\lim_{n \to \infty}x_n=r$$
where $r$ is the positive root of the equation
$$\tag A x^2-x-k=0 $$
PROOF
$(1)$ The sequenece is increasing. By induction:
It is true for $x_0=0,x_1=\sqrt k$. Assume true for $k=1,2,\dots,n$, then
$$x_n > x_{n-1} \Rightarrow x_n+k > x_{n-1}+k \Rightarrow$$
$$\Rightarrow \sqrt{x_n+k} > \sqrt{x_{n-1}+k} \Rightarrow x_{n+1} > x_n$$
$(2)$ The sequence is bounded above by $r$. By induction:
It is true for $n=0,1$. Assume true for $k=1,2,\dots,n$, then
$$x_{n} < r$$
$$x_{n}+k < r+k$$
$$\sqrt{x_{n}+k} < \sqrt{r+k}=r$$
since $r$ satisfies $(A)$.
Then by the Monotone Convergence Theorem, the sequence has a limit. In particular, this means that $\ell = \lim x_n = \lim x_{n-1}$, so that
$$\lim_{n \to \infty} x_n = \lim_{n \to \infty}\sqrt{x_{n-1}+k} $$
$$\lim_{n \to \infty} x_n = \sqrt{ \lim_{n \to \infty} x_{n-1}+k} $$
$$\ell = \sqrt{\ell+k} $$
$$\ell^2-\ell -k = 0 $$
Then either
$$\ell_1 = \frac{1+\sqrt{1+4k}}{2}$$
or
$$\ell_2 = \frac{1-\sqrt{1+4k}}{2}$$
But the latter is impossible since $\ell_2 <0$. It follows that
$$\ell_1 = r$$ the positive root of the equation $x^2-x-k=0$. $\blacktriangle$
Your problem is the special case $k=2$, which yields
$$\ell = \frac{1+\sqrt{1+4\cdot 8 }}{2}=2$$