Set $u_0 = \frac{1}{4}$, and for $k \ge 0$ let $u_{k+1}$ be determined by the recurrence \[u_{k+1} = 2u_k - 2u_k^2.\]
This sequence tends to a limit; call it $L$. What is the least value of $k$ such that \[|u_k-L| \le \frac{1}{2^{1000}}?\]
$\textbf{(A)}\: 10\qquad\textbf{(B)}\: 87\qquad\textbf{(C)}\: 123\qquad\textbf{(D)}\: 329\qquad\textbf{(E)}\: 401$
Note that terms of the sequence $(u_k)$ lie in the interval $\left(0,\frac12\right),$ strictly increasing.
Since the sequence $(u_k)$ tends to the limit $L,$ we set $u_{k+1}=u_k=L>0.$
The given equation becomes \[L=2L-2L^2,\] from which $L=\frac12.$
The given inequality becomes \[\frac12-\frac{1}{2^{1000}} \leq u_k \leq \frac12+\frac{1}{2^{1000}},\] and we only need to consider $\frac12-\frac{1}{2^{1000}} \leq u_k.$
We have
\begin{alignat*}{8} u_0 &= \phantom{1}\frac14 &&= \frac{2^1-1}{2^2}, \\ u_1 &= \phantom{1}\frac38 &&= \frac{2^2-1}{2^3}, \\ u_2 &= \ \frac{15}{32} &&= \frac{2^4-1}{2^5}, \\ u_3 &= \frac{255}{512} &&= \frac{2^8-1}{2^9}, \\ & \phantom{1111} \vdots \end{alignat*}
By induction, it can be proven that \[u_k=\frac{2^{2^k}-1}{2^{2^k+1}}=\frac12-\frac{1}{2^{2^k+1}}.\]
We substitute this into the inequality, then solve for $k:$
\begin{align*} \frac12-\frac{1}{2^{1000}} &\leq \frac12-\frac{1}{2^{2^k+1}} \\ -\frac{1}{2^{1000}} &\leq -\frac{1}{2^{2^k+1}} \\ 2^{1000} &\leq 2^{2^k+1} \\ 1000 &\leq 2^k+1. \end{align*}
Therefore, the least such value of $k$ is $\boxed{\textbf{(A)}\: 10}.$
~MRENTHUSIASM