Chapter

Mixed Functional Equations

A mixed module without a predetermined method: Cauchy, Jensen, iterations, finite sets, polynomials, inequalities, and parameters.
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Theory

Key Idea

In mixed problems, the method is not written in the title. First identify the obstacle: unknown injectivity, missing regularity, a parameter, finite cycles, a polynomial condition, or an inequality. Once recognised, the problem usually reduces to one of the templates already studied.

Basic Facts

If \(x+f(y)\) appears, check injectivity and surjectivity. If \(x+y\) appears, look for Cauchy/Jensen. If \(xy\) appears, check multiplicativity or a quadratic correction. If monotonicity or boundedness is given, use it for linearity. If the function is a polynomial, compare degrees. If the set is finite, think in cycles.

When to Use This Method

This module prepares students for olympiad sets: the problem does not announce which tool to use. Start with a short diagnosis: domain, regularity, special values, degree, possible cycles, and parameters.

How to Recognise the Method

Words like increasing, bounded, positive point to regularity. A composition \(f(f(x))\) points to iteration or injectivity. A polynomial points to degree. A finite set points to cycles. A term \(xy\) points to a quadratic correction.

Typical Mistakes

The most common mistake is starting long computations before choosing a method. The second is forgetting special solutions: zero function, constant polynomials, negative coefficient. The third is not checking the domain: over \(\mathbb Q\) and \(\mathbb R\), the same formula can have different answers.

Mini-checklist

1. What is the domain? 2. Is there regularity? 3. Is there composition? 4. Is there a parameter or \(xy\)? 5. Can injectivity be proved? 6. If it is a polynomial, what is the degree? 7. Have the found functions been checked?

Examples

Example 1. The Term \(xy\)

The problem looks like Cauchy, but the key is a quadratic correction.

Problem. Let \(f\) be continuous, \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)+4xy\), and \(f(1)=3\). Find \(f\).

Solution.

Let \(g(x)=f(x)-2x^2\). Then \(g(x+y)=g(x)+g(y)\), so \(g(x)=cx\). From \(f(1)=3\), \(2+c=3\), hence \(c=1\). The answer is \(f(x)=2x^2+x\).

Comment. The method is recognised by \(xy\).

Example 2. Rational Iteration

On \(\mathbb Q\), iteration of an additive function is a power of the coefficient.

Problem. Find additive \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\) if \(f(f(x))=9x\).

Solution.

Let \(f(x)=cx\). Then \(c^2=9\). The answers are \(f(x)=3x\) and \(f(x)=-3x\).

Comment. The domain immediately gives linearity.

Example 3. Polynomial Difference

If an equality is true for all integers, it becomes an identity.

Problem. Find \(P\in\mathbb R[x]\) if \(P(n+1)-P(n)=3n^2+3n+1\) for all integers \(n\).

Solution.

The right-hand side is \((n+1)^3-n^3\). Thus \(P(x)-x^3\) has zero difference at all integers, so that difference is identically zero. Hence \(P(x)=x^3+c\).

Comment. Infinitely many integer points are enough for an identity.

Example 4. A Finite Cycle

On finite sets, iteration means cycle decomposition.

Problem. A permutation of \(14\) elements satisfies \(f^3(x)=x\). Prove that it has a fixed point.

Solution.

Cycles have length \(1\) or \(3\). If there were no fixed points, all cycles would have length \(3\), so the number of elements would be divisible by \(3\). But \(14\) is not divisible by \(3\). Therefore a fixed point exists.

Comment. The method is combinatorial, not analytic.

Example 5. An Inequality Kills the Function

An estimate may be stronger than it appears.

Problem. Let \(f\) be additive and \(f(x)\le x^2\) for all \(x\). Prove that \(f\equiv0\).

Solution.

For \(q>0\), \(qf(x)=f(qx)\le q^2x^2\). Divide by \(q\) and let \(q o0+\), obtaining \(f(x)\le0\). Applying this to \(-x\), we get \(f(x)\ge0\). Hence \(f=0\).

Comment. Scaling is the main move.

Example 6. Polynomial Idempotent

A polynomial composition is sometimes solved through the infinite image.

Problem. Find \(P\in\mathbb R[x]\) if \(P(P(x))=P(x)\).

Solution.

All constant polynomials work. If \(P\) is nonconstant, its image is infinite. For every \(t=P(x)\), we have \(P(t)=t\), so \(P(T)-T\) has infinitely many roots. Therefore \(P(x)=x\).

Comment. The image, not degree comparison, is the key.

Example 7. Injectivity from \(x+f(y)\)

First one must earn the right to replace and cancel.

Problem. Find increasing \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) if \(f(x+f(y))=f(x)+3y\).

Solution.

Comparing values with equal \(f(y)\) gives injectivity. Then \(f(0)=0\), \(f(f(y))=3y\), and with \(t=f(y)\) we get \(f(x+t)=f(x)+f(t)\). An increasing additive function is linear: \(f(x)=cx\). Then \(c^2=3\), \(c>0\). The answer is \(f(x)=\sqrt{3}x\).

Comment. Three techniques are mixed here.

Example 8. Parameter and Composition

Final example: first the general form, then degree of composition.

Problem. Let \(f\) be continuous, \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)+a xy\), and \(f(f(x))=x+a\). Find \((a,f)\).

Solution.

The general form is \(f(x)=\frac a2x^2+cx\). If \(a e0\), the composition has degree \(4\), impossible. Hence \(a=0\), \(f(x)=cx\), and \(c^2=1\). The answer is \(a=0\), \(f(x)=x\) or \(f(x)=-x\).

Comment. The parameter is also part of the answer.

Problems

Problems

#11.1
#11.1

Unexpected Extra Term

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

Let \(f\) be continuous, \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)+4xy\), and \(f(1)=3\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P001
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.2
#11.2

Square of Iteration

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

Find all additive \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\) if \(f(f(x))=9x\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P002
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.3
#11.3

Involution with Order

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

Let \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) be strictly increasing and \(f(f(x))=x\). Prove that \(f(x)=x\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P003
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.4
#11.4

Cubic Difference

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

Find \(P\in\mathbb R[x]\) if \(P(n+1)-P(n)=3n^2+3n+1\) for all integers \(n\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P004
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.5
#11.5

Step Two

Parity Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

Let \(f(n+2)=f(n)+8\), \(f(0)=1\), and \(f(1)=5\). Find \(f:\mathbb Z\to\mathbb Z\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P005
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Parity
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.6
#11.6

Fourteen Elements

Cycles Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

A permutation of a set with \(14\) elements satisfies \(f^3(x)=x\). Prove that it has a fixed point.

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P006
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Cycles
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.7
#11.7

Quadratic Bound

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

Let \(f\) be additive and \(f(x)\le x^2\) for all \(x\). Prove that \(f\equiv0\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P007
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.8
#11.8

Product of Arguments

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Find all \(P\in\mathbb R[x]\) if \(P(xy)=P(x)P(y)\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P008
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.9
#11.9

Midpoints

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f\) be continuous, \(f(x+y)+f(x-y)=2f(x)\), \(f(0)=1\), and \(f(2)=5\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P009
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.10
#11.10

Square with a Coefficient

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\) be additive and satisfy \(f(x^2)=2xf(x)\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P010
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.11
#11.11

Golden System

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f\) be continuous, additive, and satisfy \(f(x)f(y)=f(xy)+xy\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P011
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.12
#11.12

Hidden Square Root of Three

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Find all increasing \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) such that \(f(x+f(y))=f(x)+3y\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P012
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.13
#11.13

Irrational Coefficient on \(\mathbb Q\)

No Solution Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Prove that there is no additive \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\) such that \(f(f(x))=3x\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P013
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: No Solution
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.14
#11.14

Idempotent Polynomial

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Find all \(P\in\mathbb R[x]\) such that \(P(P(x))=P(x)\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P014
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.15
#11.15

Growth on Naturals

Order Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f:\mathbb N\to\mathbb N\), \(f(n)>n\), and \(f(f(n))=n+2\). Prove that \(f(n)=n+1\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P015
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Order
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.16
#11.16

Product and Sign

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f\) be additive and \(f(x)f(y)\le xy\) for all \(x,y\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P016
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.17
#11.17

Parametric Shift

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Find all pairs \((a,f)\), where \(f\) is continuous, \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)+a xy\), and \(f(f(x))=x+a\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P017
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.18
#11.18

Modular Function

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(p\) be an odd prime, \(f:\mathbb Z/p\mathbb Z\to\mathbb Z/p\mathbb Z\), and \(f(x+f(y))=f(x)+y\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P018
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.19
#11.19

Two Functions

System Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f,g:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\) be additive, \(f(g(x))=x\), and \(f(2)=6\). Find \(f,g\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P019
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: System
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#11.20
#11.20

Parameter, Midpoints, and Composition

Mixed Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Find all pairs \((a,f)\), where \(f\) is continuous, \(f(x+y)+f(x-y)=2f(x)+2a y^2\), and \(f(f(x))=x\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M11-P020
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Mixed
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11

Ladders

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