Functional Equation

Find all functions f: \mathbb{R}^+ \rightarrow \mathbb{R}, such that whenever x,y \in \mathbb{R}^+, f(x+y) = f(x^2+y^2)

[Note, no conditions of continuity, differentiability are given]

19 Answers

1
sahil jain ·

please explain this .........

1
Euclid ·

was indeed a good one...thanx sir

341
Hari Shankar ·

This is how I went about it.

The crux step is this: If for any t_1, t_2 \in \mathbb{R}^+ we can show that f(t_1) = f(t_2), we can conclude that f(x) is a constant function.

So we argue that given t_1, t_2 \in \mathbb{R}^+ we can find x,y \in \mathbb{R}^+ such that x+y = t_1; x^2+y^2 = t_2 and therefore from the problem statement f(t_1) =f(t_2)

But we have the inequality 2(x^2+y^2) \ge (x+y)^2 and so 2t_1 \ge t_2^2 must hold for us to directly use the method outlined above.

In case this does happen, then, to guarantee the existence of such x,y, a geometric argument will suffice. x^2+y^2 = t_2 is a circle and x+y=t_1 is a line and the intersection of these two will take place in the first quadrant, and so we have our (x,y)

Three cases therefore need to be sorted out:

1) 2<t_1; 0 < t_2 \le 2

Its obvious that 2t_1 \ge t_2^2 holds

2) 0 < t_1,t_2 <2

I will argue that either 2t_1 \ge t_2^2 or 2t_2 \ge t_1^2.

If to the contrary, we have both 2t_1 < t_2^2 and 2t_2 < t_1^2, then multiplying, we obtain t_1t_2>4 which is not possible as 0 < t_1,t_2 <2

3) 2<t_1, t_2

Now there is no guarantee that either of the inequalities will hold. But, we use here the result obtained by some of you that f(2t) = f(2t^2) or written in another way f(t) = f\left(\frac{t^2}{2} \right)

When t>2, the sequence t_{n} = \frac{t_{n-1}^2}{2} is a strictly increasing sequence

This tells us that we can substitute t1 with a large enough t to satisfy 2t \ge t_2^2

Thus all possible cases have been disposed off.

Hence, to summarise, given any t_1, t_2 \in \mathbb{R}^+, we can find equivalently t_1', t_2' \in \mathbb{R}^+ such that

1) f(t_1) = f(t_1'); f(t_2) = f(t_2')

2) \exists \ x,y \in \mathbb{R}^+ with x+y = t_1'; x^2+y^2 = t_2'

so that we may conclude that f(t_1) = f(t_2)

Since this is true for any arbitrary t1, t2, we must have f as the constant function

1
nihal raj ·

u got f(2x)= f(2x2)

u must have,

x + y = x2 + y2

x -x2=y2-y

x(1 - x) = y(y - 1)

so , x = y f(2x)=f(2x2)

but wt about x = y - 1 , 1- x = y & 1-x =y-1 . they are also possible..

how they can be neglected...

tell me dude.........

1
sahil jain ·

its excellent question prophet ,,,,,, plese tell the answer n do the favour to dese guys,......

1
Euclid ·

sir nothing is entering my mind...plz explain

341
Hari Shankar ·

To what end are you guys equating x+y and x2+y2?

@sahil: the relation obtained by you can be written as

f(t) = f \left(\sqrt {2t} \right )

Now notice that if you consider a sequence defined by
t_n = \sqrt{2t_{n-1}} converges to 2, no matter how t_0>0 is chosen. Also f(t_n) = f(t_0) \ \forall \ n \in \mathbb{N}

But to finally conclude that hence f(x) = f(2) needs continuity.

Such an argument is useful when continuity is given, so you could bear this in mind.

In this problem that recursion will prove useful later, so lets tag this for now

1
sahil jain ·

hey dude wat is this?

1
nihal raj ·

if x+ y = x2+ y2

put x + y =t

( x + y)2 =t 2

x2+ y2 +2xy = t2

t + 2 xy = t2

t2 - t -2xy = 0

so 1+ 8 xy ≥ 0

xy ≤ 18

now wt to do ... can anyone continue.....

1
Aashish Jindal ·

I think, The prophet does not know the answer..........

Bhaiya,every door has a key

1
Aashish Jindal ·

y=constant

1
Euclid ·

equating x+y = x2 + y2

=> x+y= (x+y)2 - 2xy

putting x+y=t ,

t2 - (2x+1)t + 2x2 = 0

putting disc ≥ 0,

4x2 - 4x - 1 ≤ 0, which gives 1-√22 ≤ x ≤ 1 + √22

But since x,y Σ R+, the relation x+y = x2 + y2 can only be satisfied the ordered pair (1,1)

hence either f(x) = constant

or f(x) be any function which satisfies given relation for (1,1)

1
sahil jain ·

cool down ashish bhai, bp high ho jana hai.

1
Aashish Jindal ·

jaini maine solve to kiya tujhse to ans. bhi nahi nikla.........

1
sahil jain ·

profit bhaiya waise answer hai kya?coz i hav got f(2x)=f(2x2) ,after dis i don no wat to do?

1
sahil jain ·

aashish teri to laga di prophet bhaiya ne.......

341
Hari Shankar ·

I will respond only to a more detailed answer. One liners, guesses etc. will be contemptuously ignored

1
Aashish Jindal ·

prophet answer kya hai??????/

1
nihal raj ·

but i got that they would be all the discontinous many one functions....

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