Maths Olympiad Prep

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Problem 1006

AMC 12 late, AIME early
Algebra Difficulty 4.9 Prove it Belarus — Selection and Training Session · Belarus

Find all functions f:RRf : \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R} such that for all real x,yx, y
f(xf(x/y))=xf(1f(1/y)) f(x - f(x/y)) = x f(1 - f(1/y))
and
a) f(1f(1))0f(1 - f(1)) \neq 0;
b*) f(1f(1))=0f(1 - f(1)) = 0.

This one wants a proof. Work it on paper, then read the official solution and mark yourself. Be honest about it: the record is only any use to you if it is.

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Official solution

f(xf(x/y))=xf(1f(1/y)),x,yR,y0.() f(x - f(x/y)) = x f(1 - f(1/y)), \quad \forall x, y \in \mathbb{R}, y \neq 0. \quad (*)
Set y=1y = 1 in ()(*) then
f(xf(x))=xf(1f(1)).(1) f(x - f(x)) = x f(1 - f(1)). \tag{1}
If f(t)=0f(t) = 0 for some tt then (1) implies f(tf(t))=f(t)=0f(t - f(t)) = f(t) = 0, hence, in view of
(*), t=0t = 0 since f(1f(1))0f(1 - f(1)) \ne 0. On the other hand, (*) gives f(0f(0))=0f(0 - f(0)) = 0
so 0f(0)=00 - f(0) = 0, i.e. f(0)=0f(0) = 0. Therefore, 00 is only zero of ff.
so 0f(0)=00 - f(0) = 0, i.e. f(0)=0f(0) = 0. Therefore, 00 is only zero of ff.
Further, from (1) it follows that ff is surjective thus there exist an α0\alpha \neq 0 such
that f(α)=1f(\alpha) = 1. Set y=1/αy = 1/\alpha in (*), then

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