Given that f(x)=cx+dax+b, f(0)=0, f(f(0))=0. Let F(x)=n timesf(…(f(x)…)). If F(0)=0, show that F(x)=x for all x where the expression is defined.
Solution
Put fk(x)=k timesf(…(f(x))…). Then we have fk(x)=ckx+dkakx+bk. From fk+1(x)=f(fk(x)) we get: ak+1=aak+bckbk+1=abk+bdkck+1=cak+dckdk+1=cbk+ddk But we also have fk+1(x)=fk(f(x)), so ak+1=aak+cbkbk+1=bak+dbkck+1=ack+cdkdk+1=bck+ddk Comparing, we get bck=cbk and (a−d)bk=b(ak−dk). If fn(0)=0, then bn=0, so bcn=0. We are given that f(0)=0, so b=0. Hence cn=0. Also b(an−dn)=0 and hence an=dn. Hence fn(x)=x.
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Source: MathNet,
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