Chapter

First Substitutions

A module on first substitutions in functional equations: \(x=0\), \(y=0\), \(x=y\), \(x=-y\), variable changes, and source-inspired regional/final-level problems.
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Theory

Key idea

The first substitution in a functional equation should reduce the number of variables or turn the expression into a familiar form. Usually one tries \(x=0\), \(y=0\), \(x=y\), \(x=-y\), but in stronger problems the right substitution may be hidden by replacing \(y\) with \(-y\), evaluating at roots of a polynomial, or comparing two values of the same function.

Basic facts

If the equation contains \(x+y\), an additive part often appears. If it contains \(x+y\) and an extra term \(2xy\), subtracting \(x^2\) is useful. If \(x-y\) appears, try \(x=y\) and \(x=0\). If the expression is symmetric in \(y\) and \(-y\), compare the two versions of the same equality.

When to use this method

First substitutions are used at the beginning of almost every functional-equation problem. They are especially effective for finding \(f(0)\), proving evenness, obtaining injectivity, reducing the equation to additivity, or showing that an expression has equal values at two points.

How to recognise the method

If \(0\) belongs to the domain, test \(x=0\) and \(y=0\). If means \(\frac{x+y}{2}\), \(\frac{x-y}{2}\) appear, try replacing \(y\) by \(-y\). If roots are mentioned, substitute the roots. If an iteration \(f(f(x))\) appears, look for injectivity or invertibility.

Typical mistakes

Do not substitute a value outside the domain. Do not guess a linear function and stop. Do not forget that on \(\mathbb R\), without regularity, an additive function need not be \(cx\). In source-inspired problems, do not copy the form; preserve the method but create a new training problem.

Mini-checklist

1. Are \(0\), \(1\), \(-x\) allowed? 2. What does \(x=0\) give? 3. What does \(y=0\) give? 4. Is it useful to compare the equation for \(y\) and \(-y\)? 5. Can a known polynomial be subtracted? 6. Was the found function checked in the original equation?

Examples

Example 1. Substitution \(x=0\)

Problem. Find all \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) such that \(f(x+y)=f(x)+2y\).

Solution.

With \(x=0\), \(f(y)=f(0)+2y\). Hence \(f(x)=2x+c\). Verification is direct.

Example 2. Substitution \(y=0\)

Problem. Can \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) satisfy \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)+x\)?

Solution.

With \(y=0\), \(f(x)=f(x)+f(0)+x\), impossible for all \(x\). There are no solutions.

Example 3. Shift to additivity

Problem. Let \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\), \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)-4\), \(f(1)=7\). Find \(f\).

Solution.

Let \(g(x)=f(x)-4\). Then \(g\) is additive and \(g(1)=3\). Hence \(g(q)=3q\), so \(f(q)=3q+4\).

Example 4. Subtracting a square

Problem. Let \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\), \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)+2xy\), \(f(1)=1\). Find \(f\).

Solution.

Put \(g(x)=f(x)-x^2\). Then \(g\) is additive and \(g(1)=0\), hence \(g\equiv0\). Answer: \(f(q)=q^2\).

Example 5. Comparing \(y\) and \(-y\)

Problem. If \(F(x)+F(y)=F(x)+F(-y)\) for all \(x,y\), prove that \(F\) is even.

Solution.

Subtract the common term \(F(x)\) to get \(F(y)=F(-y)\) for all \(y\).

Example 6. Iteration

Problem. Find all \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\) such that \(f(f(x)+y)=f(y)+x\).

Solution.

With \(y=0\), \(f(f(x))=f(0)+x\). With \(x=0\), \(f(f(0)+y)=f(y)\), so \(f(0)=0\). Hence \(f(f(x))=x\). Substituting \(x=f(t)\), we get \(f(t+y)=t+f(y)\), so \(f\) is additive and \(f(t)=t\) or \(f(t)=-t\). Both work.

Example 7. Substituting roots

Problem. If a quadratic function has equal values at two distinct points, what can be said about these points?

Solution.

They are symmetric about the axis of the parabola. This is often used after substituting roots into another quadratic function.

Example 8. Verification

Problem. Check \(f(q)=q^3\) in \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)+3xy(x+y)\).

Solution.

Use \((x+y)^3=x^3+y^3+3xy(x+y)\). Thus the formula works.

Problems

Problems

#2.1
#2.1

Linear shift

Substitution Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★☆☆☆

Find all \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) such that \(f(x+y)=f(x)+2y\) for all \(x,y\in\mathbb R\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P001
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Substitution
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.2
#2.2

Substitution of zero

No Solution Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★☆☆☆

Prove that there is no function \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) satisfying \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)+x\) for all \(x,y\in\mathbb R\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P002
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: No Solution
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.3
#2.3

Constant shift

Additive Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★☆☆☆

Let \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\), \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)-5\), and \(f(1)=8\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P003
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Additive
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.4
#2.4

Difference of arguments

Substitution Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★☆☆

Let \(f:\mathbb Z\to\mathbb Z\), \(f(x-y)=f(x)-f(y)\), and \(f(2)=10\). Find \(f(n)\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P004
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Substitution
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.5
#2.5

Recurrence from functional form

Recursion Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★☆☆

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

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P005
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Recursion
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.6
#2.6

Sum and difference

Functional Equation Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★☆☆

Find all \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) such that \(f(x)+f(y)=f(x+y)+f(x-y)\) for all \(x,y\in\mathbb R\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P006
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Functional Equation
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.7
#2.7

Symmetric difference

Substitution Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

Find all \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) such that \(f(x+y)=f(x-y)+4y\) for all \(x,y\in\mathbb R\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P007
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Substitution
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.8
#2.8

Quadratic extra term

Rational Domain Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

Let \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\), \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)+2xy\), and \(f(1)=4\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P008
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Rational Domain
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.9
#2.9

Difference of quadratic type

Rational Domain Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

Let \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\), \(f(x+y)-f(x-y)=4xy\), \(f(0)=0\), \(f(1)=1\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P009
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Rational Domain
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.10
#2.10

Shift under iteration

Integer Domain Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

Find all strictly increasing \(f:\mathbb N\to\mathbb N\) such that \(f(f(n))=n+2\) for all \(n\in\mathbb N\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P010
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Integer Domain
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.11
#2.11

Iteration and invertibility

Rational Domain Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Find all \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\) such that \(f(f(x)+y)=f(y)+x\) for all \(x,y\in\mathbb Q\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P011
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Rational Domain
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.12
#2.12

Cubic extra term

Rational Domain Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\), \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)+3xy(x+y)\), and \(f(1)=4\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P012
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Rational Domain
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.13
#2.13

Two halves

Substitution Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\), \(f(x+y)+f(x-y)=2f(x)+8y^2\), \(f(0)=0\), \(f(1)=2\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P013
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Substitution
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.14
#2.14

A broad answer

Checking Solutions Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Find all \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) such that \(f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)+xy\) for all \(x,y\in\mathbb R\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P014
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Checking Solutions
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.15
#2.15

Boundedness after substitution

Additive Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) be additive and \(f(x)\ge -1\) for all \(x\in[0,1]\). Prove that \(f(x)=cx\) for some \(c\in\mathbb R\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P015
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Additive
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.16
#2.16

Product inside the function

Substitution Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Find all \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\) such that \(f(xy)=x f(y)+y f(x)\) for all \(x,y\in\mathbb Q\) and \(f(2)=0\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P016
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Substitution
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.17
#2.17

Cubic normalization

Rational Domain Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f:\mathbb Q\to\mathbb Q\), \(f(x+y)-f(x)-f(y)=x^2y+xy^2\), and \(f(1)=1\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P017
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Rational Domain
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.18
#2.18

Injectivity from a shift

Substitution Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Find all \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) such that \(f(x+f(y))=x+2y\) and \(f\) is surjective.

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P018
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Substitution
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#2.19
#2.19

Evenness from two means

Parity Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

A function \(\Phi:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) satisfies for all real \(u,v\): \[\Phi(u)+\Phi(v)=2\Phi\left(\frac{u+v}{2}\right)\Phi\left(\frac{u-v}{2}\right).\] Prove that \(\Phi\) is even.

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P019
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Parity
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
Source: Inspired by regional olympiad method · 2018 · Grade 11 · Problem 7
#2.20
#2.20

A function squeezed downward

Boundedness Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

A function \(H:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) has the property that if \(s

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P020
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Boundedness
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
Source: Inspired by final olympiad method · 2014 · Grade 10 · Problem 2
#2.21
#2.21

One axis for three parabolas

Substitution Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Three quadratic polynomials \(A(x),B(x),C(x)\) have positive leading coefficients and each has two distinct real roots. If \(A(x)+B(x)\) has equal values at the two roots of \(C\), \(B(x)+C(x)\) has equal values at the two roots of \(A\), and \(C(x)+A(x)\) has equal values at the two roots of \(B\), prove that the sums of the roots of the three polynomials are equal.

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P021
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Substitution
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
Source: Inspired by regional olympiad method · 2013 · Grade 10 · Problem 3
#2.22
#2.22

A quadratic on a half-line

Substitution Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

A quadratic polynomial \(p(x)\) has two distinct real roots and satisfies for all real \(u,v\): \[p(u^2+4v^2)\ge p(4uv).\] Prove that at least one root of \(p\) is negative.

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P022
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Substitution
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
Source: Inspired by regional olympiad method · 2015 · Grade 11 · Problem 5
#2.23
#2.23

Cycles of a cubic polynomial

Iteration Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(F(x)\) be a cubic polynomial. Call a triple of distinct numbers \((a,b,c)\) a cycle if \(F(a)=b\), \(F(b)=c\), \(F(c)=a\). Suppose there are seven cycles and all \(21\) numbers involved are distinct. Prove that among the seven sums \(a+b+c\) corresponding to these cycles, at least three distinct values occur.

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P023
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Iteration
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
Source: Inspired by final olympiad method · 2016 · Grade 10 · Problem 3
#2.24
#2.24

Small roots of an integer quadratic

Quadratic Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Find the smallest positive integer \(a\) for which there exist integers \(b,c\) such that the quadratic \(a x^2+bx+c\) has two distinct positive roots not exceeding \(\frac1{50}\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M02-P024
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Quadratic
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
Source: Inspired by final olympiad method · 2022 · Grade 9 · Problem 6

Ladders

No published ladders were found.
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