Chapter

Inequality Conditions in Functional Equations

A module on how monotonicity, boundedness, positivity, and order preservation force functional equations to have ordinary linear solutions.
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Theory

Key Idea

In functional equations over \(\mathbb R\), an inequality often serves as a regularity condition. An additive function can be very wild, but monotonicity, boundedness on an interval, positivity on a ray, or order preservation immediately forces it to become linear. Therefore the inequality is not decoration; it is often the key step.

Basic Facts

An additive function bounded above or below on an interval is linear. A monotone additive function is linear. If an additive function is nonnegative for \(x>0\), then it is monotone. If an additive function is bounded above or below on the whole real line, it is zero. A Jensen-type equation plus boundedness or monotonicity usually gives affinity.

When to Use This Method

Use the method when a functional equation includes words such as increasing, bounded, positive, order-preserving, or an estimate like \(|f(x)|\le C\), \(f(x)\le x^2\), \(0\le f(x)\le x\). Look for a way to scale the argument: replace \(x\) by \(qx\), \(nx\), or \(x/n\).

How to Recognise the Method

Signs include: a Cauchy-like equation over \(\mathbb R\); an inequality only on a small interval; positivity on the positive half-line; the need to exclude nonlinear additive functions; an estimate that becomes stronger after dividing by \(n\) or replacing \(x\) by \(qx\).

Typical Mistakes

Do not write \(f(x)=cx\) from additivity over \(\mathbb R\) alone. Boundedness at one point is not sufficient; one needs a set with length. In inequality problems, check both signs of the argument. Also remember: if an inequality holds for all \(q>0\), one may send \(q\) to \(0\) or to infinity.

Mini-checklist

1. Is there a Cauchy/Jensen part? 2. Which regularity is given: monotonicity, boundedness, sign? 3. Can continuity at zero be proved? 4. What does scaling \(qx\) give? 5. Should \(x>0\) and \(x<0\) be considered separately? 6. Have edge cases been checked: zero function, negative coefficient?

Examples

Example 1. Monotone Additivity

Monotonicity closes Cauchy's equation on \(\mathbb R\).

Problem. Let \(f\) be additive, increasing, and \(f(1)=3\). Find \(f\).

Solution.

An increasing additive function is linear: \(f(x)=cx\). From \(f(1)=3\), we get \(c=3\). The answer is \(f(x)=3x\).

Comment. The solution must state exactly what monotonicity gives.

Example 2. Boundedness on an Interval

Even local boundedness removes pathological solutions.

Problem. Let \(f\) be additive, \(|f(x)|\le10\) for \(0\le x\le1\), and \(f(1)=2\). Find \(f\).

Solution.

An additive function bounded on an interval is continuous. Hence \(f(x)=cx\). From \(f(1)=2\), we get \(f(x)=2x\).

Comment. Values outside the interval are not needed.

Example 3. Positivity on a Ray

Sign on the positive half-line gives monotonicity.

Problem. Let \(f\) be additive and \(f(x)\ge0\) for all \(x>0\). Prove that \(f(x)=cx\), \(c\ge0\).

Solution.

If \(x0\), so \(f(y)-f(x)=f(y-x)\ge0\). Thus \(f\) is nondecreasing. A monotone additive function is linear: \(f(x)=cx\). The condition for \(x>0\) gives \(c\ge0\).

Comment. Positivity becomes order.

Example 4. A Global Lower Bound

An additive function bounded below on the whole line must be zero.

Problem. Let \(f\) be additive and \(f(x)>-1\) for all \(x\). Prove that \(f\equiv0\).

Solution.

If \(f(a)>0\), then for large negative \(n\), \(f(na)=nf(a)<-1\), contradiction. If \(f(a)<0\), then for large positive \(n\), again \(f(na)<-1\). Hence \(f(a)=0\) for every \(a\).

Comment. A global estimate is stronger than a local one.

Example 5. Scaling an Estimate

A quadratic upper bound may force an additive function to vanish.

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

Solution.

For every \(q>0\), \(f(qx)=qf(x)\le q^2x^2\). Divide by \(q\): \(f(x)\le qx^2\). Letting \(q\to0+\), we get \(f(x)\le0\). Applying this to \(-x\), we get \(-f(x)\le0\), so \(f(x)\ge0\). Therefore \(f(x)=0\).

Comment. This is one of the most useful tricks in the module.

Example 6. Jensen Plus Boundedness

A Jensen-type equality with regularity gives affinity.

Problem. Let \(f\) satisfy \(f\left(\frac{x+y}{2}\right)=\frac{f(x)+f(y)}{2}\) and be bounded above on some interval. Prove that \(f\) is affine.

Solution.

Let \(g(x)=f(x)-f(0)\). Then \(g\) satisfies Jensen's equation and is bounded on an interval. Standard result: such a function is continuous and Jensen-linear, so \(g(x)=cx\). Hence \(f(x)=cx+b\).

Comment. For this course, it can be used as a theoretical fact.

Example 7. Additivity and Multiplicativity with Order

Monotonicity first gives linearity, then the second condition fixes the coefficient.

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

Solution.

A nondecreasing additive function is linear: \(f(x)=cx\), where \(c\ge0\). Then \(cxy=c^2xy\) for all \(x,y\). Hence \(c=0\) or \(c=1\). The answers are \(f\equiv0\) and \(f(x)=x\).

Comment. The zero function remains valid because it is nondecreasing.

Example 8. An Inequality with a Product

Final example: the two signs of a product give opposite bounds.

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

Solution.

Taking \(y=x\), we get \(f(x)^2\le x^2\), so \(f\) is bounded on \([-1,1]\). Hence \(f(x)=cx\). The condition becomes \(c^2xy\le xy\) for all \(x,y\). If \(xy>0\), then \(c^2\le1\); if \(xy<0\), then \(c^2\ge1\). Therefore \(c^2=1\). The answer is \(f(x)=x\), \(f(x)=-x\).

Comment. It is essential to consider both signs of \(xy\).

Problems

Problems

#9.1
#9.1

Increasing Additivity

Monotonicity Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★☆☆☆

Let \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) be additive, increasing, and \(f(1)=4\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P001
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Monotonicity
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.2
#9.2

Boundedness on a Segment

Additive Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★☆☆☆

Let \(f\) be additive, \(|f(x)|\le5\) for \(0\le x\le1\), and \(f(1)=3\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P002
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Additive
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.3
#9.3

Positivity

Positivity Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★☆☆☆

Let \(f\) be additive, \(f(x)\ge0\) for \(x>0\), and \(f(1)=6\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P003
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Positivity
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.4
#9.4

Global Upper Bound

Additive Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★☆☆☆

Let \(f\) be additive and \(f(x)\le100\) for all \(x\). Prove that \(f\equiv0\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P004
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Additive
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.5
#9.5

Order and Involution

Monotonicity Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★☆☆☆

Let \(f\) be strictly increasing and \(f(f(x))=x\). Prove that \(f(x)=x\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P005
Difficulty: Level 2 of 5
Tag: Monotonicity
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.6
#9.6

Bound on a Symmetric Interval

Additive Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★☆☆

Let \(f\) be additive, \(|f(x)|\le7\) for \(|x|\le1\), and \(f(2)=10\). Find \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P006
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Additive
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.7
#9.7

Cannot Be Above Everywhere

Order Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★☆☆

Let \(f\) be additive and \(f(x)\ge x\) for all \(x\). Prove that \(f(x)=x\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P007
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Order
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.8
#9.8

Jensen with a Bound

Boundedness Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★☆☆

Let \(f\) satisfy \(f\left(\frac{x+y}{2}\right)=\frac{f(x)+f(y)}{2}\) and be bounded above on \([0,1]\). Prove that \(f(x)=ax+b\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P008
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Boundedness
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.9
#9.9

Order Preservation

Additive Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★☆☆

Let \(f\) be additive, strictly order-preserving \(x

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P009
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Additive
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.10
#9.10

Two-Sided Estimate on a Ray

Positivity Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★☆☆

Let \(f\) be additive and \(0\le f(x)\le x\) for all \(x\ge0\). Prove that \(f(x)=cx\), where \(0\le c\le1\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P010
Difficulty: Level 3 of 5
Tag: Positivity
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.11
#9.11

Quadratic Upper Bound

Additive 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-M09-P011
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Additive
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.12
#9.12

Too Large a Lower Bound

No Solution Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

Prove that there is no additive \(f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R\) such that \(f(x)\ge x^2\) for all \(x\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P012
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: No Solution
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.13
#9.13

Order and Product

Monotonicity Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

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

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P013
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Monotonicity
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.14
#9.14

Lower Bound

Additive Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★☆

Let \(f\) be additive and \(f(x)>-1\) for all \(x\). Prove that \(f\equiv0\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P014
Difficulty: Level 4 of 5
Tag: Additive
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.15
#9.15

Monotone Jensen

Monotonicity Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f\) be nondecreasing and satisfy \(f\left(\frac{x+y}{2}\right)=\frac{f(x)+f(y)}{2}\). Prove that \(f(x)=ax+b\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P015
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Monotonicity
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.16
#9.16

Absolute Value Bound

Absolute Value Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f\) be additive and \(|f(x)|\le2|x|\) for all \(x\). Find all such \(f\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P016
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Absolute Value
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.17
#9.17

Strict Positivity

Positivity Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

Let \(f\) be additive, \(f(x)>0\) for all \(x>0\), and \(f(1)=1\). Prove that \(f(x)=x\).

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P017
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Positivity
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.18
#9.18

Two Different Bounds

Additive Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

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

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P018
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Additive
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.19
#9.19

Product with One Sign

Additive Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

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

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P019
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Additive
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11
#9.20
#9.20

Two-Sided Product Sign

Additive Grade 10 Grade 11 ★★★★★

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

Details
Problem: ALG-B3-M09-P020
Difficulty: Level 5 of 5
Tag: Additive
Grade: Grade 10, Grade 11

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