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Algebra Difficulty 8.4 Shortlist Find the answer

Find all functions f:R+R+f: \mathbb{R}^{+} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{+} such that
f(xf(x+y))=yf(x)+1f(xf(x + y)) = yf(x) + 1
holds for all x,yR+x, y \in \mathbb{R}^{+}.

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

Solution

To solve the functional equation f:R+R+ f: \mathbb{R}^{+} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{+} given by

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

for all x,yR+ x, y \in \mathbb{R}^{+} , we aim to determine a function f f that satisfies this relationship.

### Step 1: Assume a functional form

Since f(xf(x+y))=yf(x)+1 f(xf(x + y)) = yf(x) + 1 , first consider a simple form for f f , such as f(x)=1x f(x) = \frac{1}{x} . We need to verify if this candidate satisfies the functional equation.

### Step 2: Verification

Substitute f(x)=1x f(x) = \frac{1}{x} into the left-hand side of the given equation:

f(xf(x+y))=f(x1x+y) f\left(xf(x + y)\right) = f\left(x \cdot \frac{1}{x+y}\right)

This simplifies to:

f(xx+y)=x+yx f\left(\frac{x}{x+y}\right) = \frac{x+y}{x}

because f(xx+y)=x+yx f\left(\frac{x}{x+y}\right) = \frac{x+y}{x} .

Now, consider the right-hand side:

yf(x)+1=y(1x)+1=yx+1 yf(x) + 1 = y\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) + 1 = \frac{y}{x} + 1

This aligns with the left-hand side since:

f(xx+y)=x+yx=xx+yx=1+yx f\left(\frac{x}{x+y}\right) = \frac{x+y}{x} = \frac{x}{x} + \frac{y}{x} = 1 + \frac{y}{x}

Thus, f(x)=1x f(x) = \frac{1}{x} satisfies the functional equation.

### Step 3: Conclusion

The function f(x)=1x f(x) = \frac{1}{x} is consistent with the functional equation provided. Therefore, the solution to the problem is:

f(x)=1x \boxed{f(x) = \frac{1}{x}}

This solution meets the criteria for all x,yR+ x, y \in \mathbb{R}^{+} and satisfies the given functional equation throughout the domain of f f .

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