Let a, b, c be non-zero distinct real numbers so that there exist functions f, g:R+→R so that af(xy)+bf(yx)=cf(x)+g(y) for all positive real x and large enough y. Prove that there exists a function h:R+→R so that f(xy)+f(yx)=2f(x)+h(y) for all positive real x and large enough y.
Solution
Putting xy, yx instead of x, we find that af(xy2)+bf(y)=cf(xy)+g(y) and, af(x)+bf(y2x)=cf(yx)+g(y). Multiplying the first equation by a and the second one by b, then, adding and using the original equation, we shall find that a2f(xy2)+b2f(y2x)=(c2−2ab)f(x)+(a+b+c)g(y).
Further, putting y2, instead of y, in the original equation, one can find that af(xy2)+bf(y2x)=cf(x)+g(y2) for all sufficiently large y. Multiplying both sides by b, then subtracting, yielding to (a2−ab)f(xy2)=(c2−2ab−ac)f(x)+T(y) For some function T(y). Putting y2, instead of y, we find that (a2−ab)f(xy4)=(c2−2ab−ac)f(x)+T(y2). Thus, (a2−ab)(f(xy4)−f(xy2))=T(y2)−T(y). Hence, if a=b, we find that f(xy4)−f(xy2)=a2−abT(y2)−T(y)=S(y2) for some function S(x). That is, f(xy4)−f(xy2)=S(xy2xy4)=S(y2). Therefore, A(y)f(xy2)−f(x)−B(y)f(x)−f(y2x)=R(y). That is, f(xy2)+f(y2x)=2f(x)+R(y). Putting y instead of y we will eventually arrive at the desired conclusion. The remaining cases for c=2a and c=−a are the same. ■
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