How to approach this functional equation question?
$begingroup$
Given that $forall x,y in mathbb{R}, f(x+y)=f(x)+xcdot y + y$, determine $f'(x)$.
I tried plugging in spacial cases like letting $x=y=0$, but it did not seem to get me anywhere.
(The question does not state anything about continuity. What should I assume in such cases?)
functional-equations
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joeblack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
$begingroup$
Given that $forall x,y in mathbb{R}, f(x+y)=f(x)+xcdot y + y$, determine $f'(x)$.
I tried plugging in spacial cases like letting $x=y=0$, but it did not seem to get me anywhere.
(The question does not state anything about continuity. What should I assume in such cases?)
functional-equations
New contributor
joeblack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Given that $forall x,y in mathbb{R}, f(x+y)=f(x)+xcdot y + y$, determine $f'(x)$.
I tried plugging in spacial cases like letting $x=y=0$, but it did not seem to get me anywhere.
(The question does not state anything about continuity. What should I assume in such cases?)
functional-equations
New contributor
joeblack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
Given that $forall x,y in mathbb{R}, f(x+y)=f(x)+xcdot y + y$, determine $f'(x)$.
I tried plugging in spacial cases like letting $x=y=0$, but it did not seem to get me anywhere.
(The question does not state anything about continuity. What should I assume in such cases?)
functional-equations
functional-equations
New contributor
joeblack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
joeblack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 29 mins ago
joeblack
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asked 34 mins ago
joeblackjoeblack
162
162
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joeblack is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
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$begingroup$
Answer: $f'$ does not exists.
If we put $y=-x$ we get $$f(0) = f(x)-x^2-x$$ so $$f(x)=x^2+x+a$$ where $a=f(0)$ So Pluggin this in to the starting equation we get $$(x+y)^2+x+y+a = x^2+x+a+xy+y$$
and we get $$y(x+y) =0;;;forall x,y$$
A contradiction. Such a function does not exists, so $f'(x)$ does not also exists.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
$x=0$ also works, giving $f(y)=f(0)+y$ a linear function, another contradictory result...
$endgroup$
– Sil
19 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Hint $:$ For all $h neq 0$ observe that $frac {f(x+h) - f(x)} {h} = x + 1.$ So $$f'(x)=limlimits_{h rightarrow 0} frac {f(x+h) - f(x)} {h} = x+1.$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Regarding continuity, we could use the given functional equation to prove that $f$ must be continuous everywhere. First of all, it should be clear that $f$ is defined on the whole real line. Such a function $f$ will be continuous if and only if for all $epsilon>0$ and all $xinBbb R,$ there is some $delta>0$ such that $$bigl|f(x+y)-f(x)bigr|<epsilon$$ for all $yin(-delta,delta).$ From the functional equation, this means we must show that for all $epsilon>0$ and $xinBbb R,$ there is some $delta>0$ such that $|x+1||y|<epsilon$ whenever $|y|<delta.$ Would you be able to take it from there?
However, it would be even more straightforward to prove that $f$ is differentiable everywhere (by explicitly calculating the derivative), since differentiable functions are continuous. begin{eqnarray}f'(x) &:=& lim_{hto 0}frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}frac{f(x)+xcdot h+h-f(x)}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}frac{(x+1)cdot h}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}x+1\ &=& x+1.end{eqnarray}
As a result, we can say that $f(x)=frac12x^2+x+c$ for some real $c.$ Our job, then, is to determine what value(s) of $c$ (if any) will allow $f$ to satisfy the given functional equation.
Well, by the functional equation, we can see that we need begin{eqnarray}f(x)+xcdot y+y &=& f(x+y)\ &=& frac12(x+y)^2+(x+y)+c\ &=& frac12left(x^2+2xcdot y+y^2right)+x+y+c\ &=& frac12x^2+xcdot y+frac12y^2+x+y+c\ &=& f(x)+xcdot y+y+frac12y^2end{eqnarray} for all real $x,y.$ Unfortunately, this only holds when $y=0,$ so no value of $c$ will work. Thus, $f$ does not exist, nor does $f'$.
$endgroup$
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3 Answers
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active
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3 Answers
3
active
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$begingroup$
Answer: $f'$ does not exists.
If we put $y=-x$ we get $$f(0) = f(x)-x^2-x$$ so $$f(x)=x^2+x+a$$ where $a=f(0)$ So Pluggin this in to the starting equation we get $$(x+y)^2+x+y+a = x^2+x+a+xy+y$$
and we get $$y(x+y) =0;;;forall x,y$$
A contradiction. Such a function does not exists, so $f'(x)$ does not also exists.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
$x=0$ also works, giving $f(y)=f(0)+y$ a linear function, another contradictory result...
$endgroup$
– Sil
19 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Answer: $f'$ does not exists.
If we put $y=-x$ we get $$f(0) = f(x)-x^2-x$$ so $$f(x)=x^2+x+a$$ where $a=f(0)$ So Pluggin this in to the starting equation we get $$(x+y)^2+x+y+a = x^2+x+a+xy+y$$
and we get $$y(x+y) =0;;;forall x,y$$
A contradiction. Such a function does not exists, so $f'(x)$ does not also exists.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
$x=0$ also works, giving $f(y)=f(0)+y$ a linear function, another contradictory result...
$endgroup$
– Sil
19 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Answer: $f'$ does not exists.
If we put $y=-x$ we get $$f(0) = f(x)-x^2-x$$ so $$f(x)=x^2+x+a$$ where $a=f(0)$ So Pluggin this in to the starting equation we get $$(x+y)^2+x+y+a = x^2+x+a+xy+y$$
and we get $$y(x+y) =0;;;forall x,y$$
A contradiction. Such a function does not exists, so $f'(x)$ does not also exists.
$endgroup$
Answer: $f'$ does not exists.
If we put $y=-x$ we get $$f(0) = f(x)-x^2-x$$ so $$f(x)=x^2+x+a$$ where $a=f(0)$ So Pluggin this in to the starting equation we get $$(x+y)^2+x+y+a = x^2+x+a+xy+y$$
and we get $$y(x+y) =0;;;forall x,y$$
A contradiction. Such a function does not exists, so $f'(x)$ does not also exists.
edited 22 mins ago
answered 27 mins ago
Maria MazurMaria Mazur
49.2k1360122
49.2k1360122
1
$begingroup$
$x=0$ also works, giving $f(y)=f(0)+y$ a linear function, another contradictory result...
$endgroup$
– Sil
19 mins ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
$x=0$ also works, giving $f(y)=f(0)+y$ a linear function, another contradictory result...
$endgroup$
– Sil
19 mins ago
1
1
$begingroup$
$x=0$ also works, giving $f(y)=f(0)+y$ a linear function, another contradictory result...
$endgroup$
– Sil
19 mins ago
$begingroup$
$x=0$ also works, giving $f(y)=f(0)+y$ a linear function, another contradictory result...
$endgroup$
– Sil
19 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Hint $:$ For all $h neq 0$ observe that $frac {f(x+h) - f(x)} {h} = x + 1.$ So $$f'(x)=limlimits_{h rightarrow 0} frac {f(x+h) - f(x)} {h} = x+1.$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Hint $:$ For all $h neq 0$ observe that $frac {f(x+h) - f(x)} {h} = x + 1.$ So $$f'(x)=limlimits_{h rightarrow 0} frac {f(x+h) - f(x)} {h} = x+1.$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Hint $:$ For all $h neq 0$ observe that $frac {f(x+h) - f(x)} {h} = x + 1.$ So $$f'(x)=limlimits_{h rightarrow 0} frac {f(x+h) - f(x)} {h} = x+1.$$
$endgroup$
Hint $:$ For all $h neq 0$ observe that $frac {f(x+h) - f(x)} {h} = x + 1.$ So $$f'(x)=limlimits_{h rightarrow 0} frac {f(x+h) - f(x)} {h} = x+1.$$
answered 29 mins ago
Dbchatto67Dbchatto67
2,437422
2,437422
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Regarding continuity, we could use the given functional equation to prove that $f$ must be continuous everywhere. First of all, it should be clear that $f$ is defined on the whole real line. Such a function $f$ will be continuous if and only if for all $epsilon>0$ and all $xinBbb R,$ there is some $delta>0$ such that $$bigl|f(x+y)-f(x)bigr|<epsilon$$ for all $yin(-delta,delta).$ From the functional equation, this means we must show that for all $epsilon>0$ and $xinBbb R,$ there is some $delta>0$ such that $|x+1||y|<epsilon$ whenever $|y|<delta.$ Would you be able to take it from there?
However, it would be even more straightforward to prove that $f$ is differentiable everywhere (by explicitly calculating the derivative), since differentiable functions are continuous. begin{eqnarray}f'(x) &:=& lim_{hto 0}frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}frac{f(x)+xcdot h+h-f(x)}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}frac{(x+1)cdot h}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}x+1\ &=& x+1.end{eqnarray}
As a result, we can say that $f(x)=frac12x^2+x+c$ for some real $c.$ Our job, then, is to determine what value(s) of $c$ (if any) will allow $f$ to satisfy the given functional equation.
Well, by the functional equation, we can see that we need begin{eqnarray}f(x)+xcdot y+y &=& f(x+y)\ &=& frac12(x+y)^2+(x+y)+c\ &=& frac12left(x^2+2xcdot y+y^2right)+x+y+c\ &=& frac12x^2+xcdot y+frac12y^2+x+y+c\ &=& f(x)+xcdot y+y+frac12y^2end{eqnarray} for all real $x,y.$ Unfortunately, this only holds when $y=0,$ so no value of $c$ will work. Thus, $f$ does not exist, nor does $f'$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Regarding continuity, we could use the given functional equation to prove that $f$ must be continuous everywhere. First of all, it should be clear that $f$ is defined on the whole real line. Such a function $f$ will be continuous if and only if for all $epsilon>0$ and all $xinBbb R,$ there is some $delta>0$ such that $$bigl|f(x+y)-f(x)bigr|<epsilon$$ for all $yin(-delta,delta).$ From the functional equation, this means we must show that for all $epsilon>0$ and $xinBbb R,$ there is some $delta>0$ such that $|x+1||y|<epsilon$ whenever $|y|<delta.$ Would you be able to take it from there?
However, it would be even more straightforward to prove that $f$ is differentiable everywhere (by explicitly calculating the derivative), since differentiable functions are continuous. begin{eqnarray}f'(x) &:=& lim_{hto 0}frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}frac{f(x)+xcdot h+h-f(x)}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}frac{(x+1)cdot h}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}x+1\ &=& x+1.end{eqnarray}
As a result, we can say that $f(x)=frac12x^2+x+c$ for some real $c.$ Our job, then, is to determine what value(s) of $c$ (if any) will allow $f$ to satisfy the given functional equation.
Well, by the functional equation, we can see that we need begin{eqnarray}f(x)+xcdot y+y &=& f(x+y)\ &=& frac12(x+y)^2+(x+y)+c\ &=& frac12left(x^2+2xcdot y+y^2right)+x+y+c\ &=& frac12x^2+xcdot y+frac12y^2+x+y+c\ &=& f(x)+xcdot y+y+frac12y^2end{eqnarray} for all real $x,y.$ Unfortunately, this only holds when $y=0,$ so no value of $c$ will work. Thus, $f$ does not exist, nor does $f'$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Regarding continuity, we could use the given functional equation to prove that $f$ must be continuous everywhere. First of all, it should be clear that $f$ is defined on the whole real line. Such a function $f$ will be continuous if and only if for all $epsilon>0$ and all $xinBbb R,$ there is some $delta>0$ such that $$bigl|f(x+y)-f(x)bigr|<epsilon$$ for all $yin(-delta,delta).$ From the functional equation, this means we must show that for all $epsilon>0$ and $xinBbb R,$ there is some $delta>0$ such that $|x+1||y|<epsilon$ whenever $|y|<delta.$ Would you be able to take it from there?
However, it would be even more straightforward to prove that $f$ is differentiable everywhere (by explicitly calculating the derivative), since differentiable functions are continuous. begin{eqnarray}f'(x) &:=& lim_{hto 0}frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}frac{f(x)+xcdot h+h-f(x)}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}frac{(x+1)cdot h}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}x+1\ &=& x+1.end{eqnarray}
As a result, we can say that $f(x)=frac12x^2+x+c$ for some real $c.$ Our job, then, is to determine what value(s) of $c$ (if any) will allow $f$ to satisfy the given functional equation.
Well, by the functional equation, we can see that we need begin{eqnarray}f(x)+xcdot y+y &=& f(x+y)\ &=& frac12(x+y)^2+(x+y)+c\ &=& frac12left(x^2+2xcdot y+y^2right)+x+y+c\ &=& frac12x^2+xcdot y+frac12y^2+x+y+c\ &=& f(x)+xcdot y+y+frac12y^2end{eqnarray} for all real $x,y.$ Unfortunately, this only holds when $y=0,$ so no value of $c$ will work. Thus, $f$ does not exist, nor does $f'$.
$endgroup$
Regarding continuity, we could use the given functional equation to prove that $f$ must be continuous everywhere. First of all, it should be clear that $f$ is defined on the whole real line. Such a function $f$ will be continuous if and only if for all $epsilon>0$ and all $xinBbb R,$ there is some $delta>0$ such that $$bigl|f(x+y)-f(x)bigr|<epsilon$$ for all $yin(-delta,delta).$ From the functional equation, this means we must show that for all $epsilon>0$ and $xinBbb R,$ there is some $delta>0$ such that $|x+1||y|<epsilon$ whenever $|y|<delta.$ Would you be able to take it from there?
However, it would be even more straightforward to prove that $f$ is differentiable everywhere (by explicitly calculating the derivative), since differentiable functions are continuous. begin{eqnarray}f'(x) &:=& lim_{hto 0}frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}frac{f(x)+xcdot h+h-f(x)}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}frac{(x+1)cdot h}h\ &=& lim_{hto 0}x+1\ &=& x+1.end{eqnarray}
As a result, we can say that $f(x)=frac12x^2+x+c$ for some real $c.$ Our job, then, is to determine what value(s) of $c$ (if any) will allow $f$ to satisfy the given functional equation.
Well, by the functional equation, we can see that we need begin{eqnarray}f(x)+xcdot y+y &=& f(x+y)\ &=& frac12(x+y)^2+(x+y)+c\ &=& frac12left(x^2+2xcdot y+y^2right)+x+y+c\ &=& frac12x^2+xcdot y+frac12y^2+x+y+c\ &=& f(x)+xcdot y+y+frac12y^2end{eqnarray} for all real $x,y.$ Unfortunately, this only holds when $y=0,$ so no value of $c$ will work. Thus, $f$ does not exist, nor does $f'$.
answered 6 mins ago
Cameron BuieCameron Buie
86.3k773161
86.3k773161
add a comment |
add a comment |
joeblack is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
joeblack is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
joeblack is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
joeblack is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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