Let ⊗ be a binary operation that takes two positive real numbers and returns a positive real number. Suppose further that ⊗ is continuous, commutative (a⊗b=b⊗a), distributive across multiplication (a⊗(bc)=(a⊗b)(a⊗c)), and that 2⊗2=4. Solve the equation x⊗y=x for y in terms of x for x>1.
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
We note that (a⊗bk)=(a⊗b)k for all positive integers k. Then for all rational numbers qp we have a⊗bqp=(a⊗bq1)p=(a⊗b)qp. So by continuity, for all real numbers a,b, it follows that 2a⊗2b=(2⊗2)ab=4ab. Therefore given positive reals x,y, we have x⊗y=2log2(x)⊗2log2(y)=4log2(x)log2(y). If x=4log2(x)log2(y)=22log2(x)log2(y) then log2(x)=2log2(x)log2(y) and 1=2log2(y)=log2(y2). Thus y=2 regardless of x.
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