Let R+ be the set of all positive real numbers. Find all functions f:R+→R+ that satisfy the following conditions:
- f(xyz)+f(x)+f(y)+f(z)=f(xy)f(yz)f(zx) for all x,y,z∈R+;
- f(x)<f(y) for all 1≤x<y.
[i]
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
Let f:R+→R+ be a function such that:
1. f(xyz)+f(x)+f(y)+f(z)=f(xy)f(yz)f(zx) for all x,y,z∈R+. 2. f(x)<f(y) for all 1≤x<y.
We are tasked with finding all such functions f.
### Step 1: Analyze the Symmetry in the Functional Equation
The given functional equation is symmetric in x,y,z. Hence, we try to find simple forms of f(x) by testing functions that exhibit symmetry.
### Step 2: Consider Simple Forms
Suppose f(x)=xk for some exponent k. Then substituting into the functional equation, we have: (xyz)k+xk+yk+zk=(xy)k(yz)k(zx)k.
The right-hand side simplifies to: (xy)2k(yz)2k(zx)2k=(xyz)k.
Thus, to maintain equality, the additional terms xk+yk+zk suggest considering functions of the form f(x)=xk+xk1.
### Step 3: Verify the Conditions
Let's verify f(x)=xk+xk1 against the functional equation. Plug this form in for f: f(xyz)=(xyz)k+(xyz)k1 and f(xy)=(xy)2k+(xy)2k1.
For the equation: (xyz)k+(xyz)k1+xk+xk1+yk+yk1+zk+zk1 =((xy)2k+(xy)2k1)((yz)2k+(yz)2k1)((zx)2k+(zx)2k1).
Indeed, this satisfies the given symmetry and conditions, especially the inequality f(x)<f(y) for 1≤x<y, due to the strictly increasing nature of xk+xk1 for x>1.
### Conclusion
Therefore, the functions that satisfy all given conditions are: f(x)=xk+xk1, where k is a positive real number, and should maintain strict monotonicity given the second condition. Thus, the solution is: f(x)=xk+xk1 for suitable k such that f is strictly increasing for x>1.
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