A proof of Lagrange's theorem on periodic continued fractions (Q2277503)

Lagrange proved that the regular continued fraction for a real quadratic irrational is (eventually) periodic. Early proofs of this theorem (Lagrange, Hermite, Charves) used convergence properties of continued fractions. Two more recent proofs (\textit{R. Ballieu} in 1942 [Mathesis 54, 304--314 (1942; Zbl 0027.20202, JFM 68.0088.01)]; \textit{J. V. Gonçalves} in 1952 [Univ. Lisboa, Rev. Fac. Ci., II. Ser. A 2, 297--335 (1952; Zbl 0049.04602)]) avoid such considerations and rely only on the formal algorithm. This type of argument can be further abbreviated; we present a proof based on the fact that a polynomial with positive coefficients cannot have a positive root.