f(x) = mx
this satisfies.
linear eqn. without any constant term.
Well what sort of function can be this which satisfy the function rule as
f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)?
I mean which function can it be?
\large f\left(xy \right)=f\left(x \right)+f\left(y \right) \Rightarrow f\left(x \right)=k\ln x
or even \large f\left(x \right)=0
\large f\left(xy \right)=f\left(x \right)f\left(y \right)\Rightarrow f\left(x{\right)=x^{n} {n\epsilon R
\large f\left(x+y \right)=f\left(x \right)f\left(y \right)\Rightarrow f\left(x \right)=a^{kx}
\large f\left(x+y \right)=f\left(x \right)+f\left(y \right)\Rightarrow f\left(x \right)=kx
This is one of the Cauchy's functional equation. It can be shown that if we dont's assume continuity, then f(x)=kx for all rational numbers, while if continuity is given, then f(x)=kx for all real x.
I think for JEE syllabus continuity and differentiability can be safely assumed
for that case, the proof should be simple....
any takers?
its obvious to see that f(0)=0. and this is an odd function. further f(nx)=n f(x).
but i doubt is this enough to say f(x)= kx
f(nx)=nf(x)
also f(1)=k let
thus,
(P and q used below are integers)
f(p.1/p)= p f(1/p)
thus f(1/p) = 1/p x f(1) = k. 1/p
also take
f(q/p) = q f(1/p) = q. k. 1/p = k. q/p
thus for all rationals, f(x) = k x
We have not used continuity anywhere..
If we assume continuity, then there is a direct theorem which proves that f(x)=kx for all x (This is not in syllabus though)
Proving that the relation f(x)=kx holds also for irrational numbers require continuity. Particularly useful is the definition of continuity as given by Heine (edited after being pointed by TheProphet).
Suppose a function f is defined at at point x=x0 and its neighborhood. This function is said to be continuous at x=x0, if for an arbitrary sequence {xn} of real numbers satifying {xn}→x0, the sequence of the corresponding values of the function, i.e. {f(xn)} satisfies limn→∞{f(xn)}=f(x0).
Here the notation "→" means "tends to as n tends to infinity".
Let us take an arbitrary irrational point, say x0. We need to show f(x0) =kx0.
Note that in the vicinity of any irrational number there are infinitely many rational numbers. So, let us choose a sequence of rational numbers {xn} whose limit is x0. This can always be done owing to the infinite numbers of rational numbers in the vicinity of x0. Owing to the continuity of f at x0, we must have limn→∞{f(xn)}=f(x0).
However, since each xn is a rational number, f(xn)=kxn (it has already been proven for rationals). Therefore, we have
f(x0)=limn→∞ {kxn}=k limn→∞ {xn} = kx0. (since we had already chosen the sequence {xn} whose limit was x0)
Since x0 was arbitrary, it means that for all irrational numbers as well, the relation f(x)=kx holds true. Hence, f(x)=kx for all real x.
A small correction: the definition of continuity mentioned above is due to Heine. Cauchy's definition uses the well known ε-δ challenge.