Functional Equation (Canada 1969)

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mutasimmim
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Functional Equation (Canada 1969)

Unread post by mutasimmim » Sat Sep 20, 2014 8:46 pm

Find all functions $f:N \rightarrow N$ such that $f(2)=2$ and for any two $m,n ; f(mn)=f(m)f(n)$ and $f(n+1)>f(n)$.

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*Mahi*
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Re: Functional Equation (Canada 1969)

Unread post by *Mahi* » Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:41 pm

Hint:
The set $S_n = \{n^q | q \in \mathbb Q\}$ is dense $\forall n \in \mathbb N, n > 1$.
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mutasimmim
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Re: Functional Equation (Canada 1969)

Unread post by mutasimmim » Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:52 pm

Hints for two different solutions:
1. Induction
or, 2. Think about the numbers $f(2^k+1),f(2^k+2),....,f(2^{k+1})$

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Re: Functional Equation (Canada 1969)

Unread post by Nirjhor » Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:48 pm

See that \((m,n)=(2,1)\) gives \(f(1)=1\) and \((m,n)=(2,2)\) gives \(f(4)=4\). Now \[2=f(2)<f(3)<f(4)=4\] so \(f(3)=3\). Suppose \(f(n)=n\) for \(n\le 2k\). Then \[f(2k+2)=f\left(2(k+1)\right)=f(2)f(k+1)=2k+2.\] And so \[2k=f(2k)<f(2k+1)<f(2k+2)=2k+2\] hence \(f(2k+1)=2k+1\). Therefore \(\boxed{f(n)=n}\) for all \(n\in\mathbb{N}\) by strong induction.
Last edited by Nirjhor on Sun Sep 21, 2014 10:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- What is the value of the contour integral around Western Europe?

- Zero.

- Why?

- Because all the poles are in Eastern Europe.


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*Mahi*
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Re: Functional Equation (Canada 1969)

Unread post by *Mahi* » Sat Sep 20, 2014 11:08 pm

Nirjhor wrote:The given is Cauchy's Functional Equation. Hence \(f(x)=x^n\) for any fixed \(n\in\mathbb{N}\). Now \(f(2)=2^n=2\) gives \(n=1\) so \(f(n)=n\).
Wrong. For example the following set of functions defines a solution to $f(mn) = f(m)f(n), f: \mathbb N \mapsto \mathbb N$.
\[f(\prod p_i ^{e_i}) = \prod f(p_i)^{e_i}\]
\[f(p_i) = F(p_i)\]
Where the function $F: \mathbb P \mapsto \mathbb P$ is injective.
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Re: Functional Equation (Canada 1969)

Unread post by Nirjhor » Sat Sep 20, 2014 11:45 pm

*Mahi* wrote:
Nirjhor wrote:The given is Cauchy's Functional Equation. Hence \(f(x)=x^n\) for any fixed \(n\in\mathbb{N}\). Now \(f(2)=2^n=2\) gives \(n=1\) so \(f(n)=n\).
Wrong. For example the following set of functions defines a solution to $f(mn) = f(m)f(n), f: \mathbb N \mapsto \mathbb N$.
\[f(\prod p_i ^{e_i}) = \prod f(p_i)^{e_i}\]
\[f(p_i) = F(p_i)\]
Where the function $F: \mathbb P \mapsto \mathbb P$ is injective.
Didn't understand what you wanted to say. The equality \[f\left(\prod p_i^{e_1}\right)=\prod f\left(p_i\right)^{e_i}\] is obvious from the given multiplicativity condition. If you're saying \(F:\mathbb{P}\mapsto\mathbb{P}\) is an arbitrary injective function, how does that satisfy the conditions given?

(I've edited my comment and added an inductive solution)
- What is the value of the contour integral around Western Europe?

- Zero.

- Why?

- Because all the poles are in Eastern Europe.


Revive the IMO marathon.

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*Mahi*
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Re: Functional Equation (Canada 1969)

Unread post by *Mahi* » Sun Sep 21, 2014 2:26 pm

For example, $F(2)=3, F(3)=2$, and $F(p)=p$ for all other prime $p$ yields a solution.
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Re: Functional Equation (Canada 1969)

Unread post by Nirjhor » Sun Sep 21, 2014 3:13 pm

I was considering the constraint that \(f\) is strictly increasing.
- What is the value of the contour integral around Western Europe?

- Zero.

- Why?

- Because all the poles are in Eastern Europe.


Revive the IMO marathon.

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*Mahi*
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Re: Functional Equation (Canada 1969)

Unread post by *Mahi* » Sun Sep 21, 2014 10:15 pm

And I meant the part "$f:\mathbb N \mapsto \mathbb N, f(mn)=f(m)f(n) \Rightarrow$ Cauchy" is wrong, and provided a counter example. Even if you add the strictly increasing part, you'd have to prove it differently (like you did in the edit).
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Re: Functional Equation (Canada 1969)

Unread post by Nirjhor » Sun Sep 21, 2014 10:36 pm

Got it. So is there any other solution to the given problem?
- What is the value of the contour integral around Western Europe?

- Zero.

- Why?

- Because all the poles are in Eastern Europe.


Revive the IMO marathon.

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