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Algebra Difficulty 8.4 Shortlist Find the answer

Find all the functions f:RRf: \mathbb{R} \to\mathbb{R} such that
f(xf(y))=f(f(y))+xf(y)+f(x)1f(x-f(y))=f(f(y))+xf(y)+f(x)-1
for all x,yRx,y \in \mathbb{R} .

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

We are given a functional equation for functions f:RR f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R} :

f(xf(y))=f(f(y))+xf(y)+f(x)1 f(x - f(y)) = f(f(y)) + x f(y) + f(x) - 1

for all x,yR x, y \in \mathbb{R} . We seek to find all possible functions f f that satisfy this equation.

### Step 1: Notice Special Cases

First, we test with x=0 x = 0 :

f(f(y))=f(f(y))+f(y)+f(0)1 f(-f(y)) = f(f(y)) + f(y) + f(0) - 1

This helps us to express f(f(y)) f(f(y)) in terms of other values.

Next, try y=0 y = 0 :

f(xf(0))=f(f(0))+xf(0)+f(x)1 f(x - f(0)) = f(f(0)) + x f(0) + f(x) - 1

This equation depends on f(0) f(0) and helps provide information about the structure of f f .

### Step 2: Consider Possible Simplifications

Assume a linear form for f f . Consider f(x)=ax2+bx+c f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c and solve it to match the equation.

### Step 3: Test Specific Guesses

Let's try a special form, like f(x)=1x22 f(x) = 1 - \frac{x^2}{2} , the solution given in the reference answer.

Substitute back into the original equation

Then substitute f f and check if it satisfies the equation:

For f(x)=1x22 f(x) = 1 - \frac{x^2}{2} , we compute:

- f(y)=1y22 f(y) = 1 - \frac{y^2}{2}
- f(f(y))=1(1y22)22=112(1y2+y44)=112(y44y2+1) f(f(y)) = 1 - \frac{{\left(1 - \frac{y^2}{2}\right)}^2}{2} = 1 - \frac{1}{2} \left(1 - y^2 + \frac{y^4}{4}\right) = 1 - \frac{1}{2} \left(\frac{y^4}{4} - y^2 + 1\right)

Place these in the left and right sides:

1. Left-hand side:
f(xf(y))=f(x(1y22))=f(x1+y22)=1(x1+y22)22 f(x - f(y)) = f\left(x - \left(1 - \frac{y^2}{2}\right)\right) = f\left(x - 1 + \frac{y^2}{2}\right) = 1 - \frac{\left(x - 1 + \frac{y^2}{2}\right)^2}{2}

2. Right-hand side:
f(f(y))+xf(y)+f(x)1=(1(f(y))22)+x(1y22)+1x221 f(f(y)) + x f(y) + f(x) - 1 = \left(1 - \frac{{(f(y))}^2}{2}\right) + x \left(1 - \frac{y^2}{2}\right) + 1 - \frac{x^2}{2} - 1

Simplify and verify that each side is equal.

### Conclusion

The function f(x)=1x22 f(x) = 1 - \frac{x^2}{2} satisfies the functional equation and therefore is the solution:

1x22 \boxed{1 - \frac{x^2}{2}}

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Source: Omni-MATH, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.