The strange properties of the infinite power tower

TL;DR

This paper explores the intriguing properties of the infinite power tower function, aiming to inspire active, exploratory learning among students through investigative mathematics activities.

Contribution

It provides a detailed investigation of the infinite power tower's properties and suggests a pedagogical approach for engaging students in mathematical discovery.

Findings

Reveals unexpected behaviors of the infinite power tower

Offers a guide for classroom investigative activities

Encourages active learning with minimal teacher intervention

Abstract

In this article we investigate some "unexpected" properties of the "Infinite Power Tower". \[y = f(x) = {x^{{x^{{x^{{x^ {\mathinner{\mkern2mu\raise1pt\hbox{.}\mkern2mu \raise4pt\hbox{.}\mkern2mu\raise7pt\hbox{.}\mkern1mu}} }}}}}}}\] The material collected here is also intended as a potential guide for teachers of high-school/undergraduate students interested in planning an activity of investigative mathematics in the classroom, where the knowledge is gained through the active, creative and cooperative use of diversified mathematical tools (and some ingenuity). The activity should possibly be carried on with a laboratorial style, with no preclusions on the paths chosen and undertaken by the students and with little or no information imparted from the teacher's desk. The teacher should then act just as a guide and a facilitator. The mathematical requisites to follow this path are: functions, properties of exponentials and logarithms, sequences, limits and derivatives. The topics presented should then be accessible to undergraduate or "advanced high school" students.