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Problem 2231

National Olympiad second round; IMO P1/P4
Algebra Difficulty 7.6 Prove it Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad · Asia Pacific Mathematics Olympiad (APMO)

Let S={2,3,4,…}S=\{2,3,4, \ldots\} denote the set of integers that are greater than or equal to 22. Does there exist a function f:S→Sf: S \rightarrow S such that
f(a)f(b)=f(a2b2) for all a,b∈S with a≠b? f(a) f(b) = f\left(a^{2} b^{2}\right) \text{ for all } a, b \in S \text{ with } a \neq b?

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

We prove that there is no such function. For arbitrary elements aa and bb of SS, choose an integer cc that is greater than both of them. Since bc>ab c > a and c>bc > b, we have
f(a4b4c4)=f(a2)f(b2c2)=f(a2)f(b)f(c) f\left(a^{4} b^{4} c^{4}\right) = f\left(a^{2}\right) f\left(b^{2} c^{2}\right) = f\left(a^{2}\right) f(b) f(c)
Furthermore, since ac>ba c > b and c>ac > a, we have
f(a4b4c4)=f(b2)f(a2c2)=f(b2)f(a)f(c) f\left(a^{4} b^{4} c^{4}\right) = f\left(b^{2}\right) f\left(a^{2} c^{2}\right) = f\left(b^{2}\right) f(a) f(c)
Comparing these two equations, we find that for all elements aa and bb of SS,
f(a2)f(b)=f(b2)f(a)⟹f(a2)f(a)=f(b2)f(b) f\left(a^{2}\right) f(b) = f\left(b^{2}\right) f(a) \quad \Longrightarrow \quad \frac{f\left(a^{2}\right)}{f(a)} = \frac{f\left(b^{2}\right)}{f(b)}
It follows that there exists a positive rational number kk such that
f(a2)=kf(a), for all a∈S. \begin{equation*} f\left(a^{2}\right) = k f(a), \quad \text{ for all } a \in S. \tag{1} \end{equation*}
Substituting this into the functional equation yields
f(ab)=f(a)f(b)k, for all a,b∈S with a≠b. \begin{equation*} f(a b) = \frac{f(a) f(b)}{k}, \quad \text{ for all } a, b \in S \text{ with } a \neq b. \tag{2} \end{equation*}
Now combine the functional equation with equations (1) and (2) to obtain
f(a)f(a2)=f(a6)=f(a)f(a5)k=f(a)f(a)f(a4)k2=f(a)f(a)f(a2)k, for all a∈S. f(a) f\left(a^{2}\right) = f\left(a^{6}\right) = \frac{f(a) f\left(a^{5}\right)}{k} = \frac{f(a) f(a) f\left(a^{4}\right)}{k^{2}} = \frac{f(a) f(a) f\left(a^{2}\right)}{k}, \quad \text{ for all } a \in S.
It follows that f(a)=kf(a) = k for all a∈Sa \in S. Substituting a=2a = 2 and b=3b = 3 into the functional equation yields k=1k = 1, however 1∉S1 \notin S and hence we have no solutions.

Source: MathNet, licensed CC-BY-4.0. Statement reproduced verbatim; metadata (topic, difficulty, ordering) added by this project.