To find all functions f:R→R such that f(0)=0 and
f(f(x))+f(f(y))=f(x+y)f(xy),
for all x,y∈R, we proceed as follows.
- Step 1: Initial Substitution
Start by substituting x=0 and y=0 into the original functional equation:
f(f(0))+f(f(0))=f(0+0)f(0⋅0).
This simplifies to:
2f(f(0))=f(0)2.
Since f(0)=0, we can solve this to find that
f(f(0))=2f(0)2.
- Step 2: Explore Further Substitution
Let y=0 and rewrite the equation:
f(f(x))+f(f(0))=f(x)f(0).
Substitute the value from Step 1:
f(f(x))+2f(0)2=f(x)f(0).
Rearrange to obtain:
f(f(x))=f(x)f(0)−2f(0)2.
This equation will be useful in confirming specific solutions.
- Step 3: Consider a Constant Function Solution
Evaluate the possibility of constant solutions by letting f(x)=c for some constant c.
Substitute f(x)=c into the functional equation:
c+c=c⋅c.
This simplifies to:
2c=c2.
Solve this quadratic equation:
c2−2c=0,
which factors to:
c(c−2)=0.
Therefore, c=0 or c=2. Since f(0)=0, c=0 is not valid, leaving c=2.
Thus, f(x)=2 for all x∈R is a potential solution.
- Step 4: Verification
Verify that f(x)=2 satisfies the functional equation:
f(f(x))+f(f(y))=f(x+y)f(xy).
Substituting f(x)=2 yields:
2+2=2⋅2.
Which simplifies to 4=4, confirming it is a solution.
Thus, the only function satisfying all the conditions is the constant function:
f(x)=2∀x∈R.