Art of Problem Solving

The Apple Method

The Apple Method is a method for solving algebra problems. An apple is used to make a clever algebraic substitution.

Examples

1. Evaluate: \[\sqrt{6+\sqrt{6+\sqrt{6+\cdots}}}\]

$\emph{Solution:}$

If we set $apple = \sqrt{6+\sqrt{6+\sqrt{6+\cdots}}}$, we can see that $apple = \sqrt{6+apple}$.

Solving, we get $\boxed{apple = 3}$ $(^()$