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k a April Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
Yesterday at 3:18 PM
Spring is in full swing and summer is right around the corner, what are your plans? At AoPS Online our schedule has new classes starting now through July, so be sure to keep your skills sharp and be prepared for the Fall school year! Check out the schedule of upcoming classes below.

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0 replies
jlacosta
Yesterday at 3:18 PM
0 replies
k i Adding contests to the Contest Collections
dcouchman   1
N Apr 5, 2023 by v_Enhance
Want to help AoPS remain a valuable Olympiad resource? Help us add contests to AoPS's Contest Collections.

Find instructions and a list of contests to add here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c40244h1064480_contests_to_add
1 reply
dcouchman
Sep 9, 2019
v_Enhance
Apr 5, 2023
k i Zero tolerance
ZetaX   49
N May 4, 2019 by NoDealsHere
Source: Use your common sense! (enough is enough)
Some users don't want to learn, some other simply ignore advises.
But please follow the following guideline:


To make it short: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!
If you don't have common sense, don't post.


More specifically:

For new threads:


a) Good, meaningful title:
The title has to say what the problem is about in best way possible.
If that title occured already, it's definitely bad. And contest names aren't good either.
That's in fact a requirement for being able to search old problems.

Examples:
Bad titles:
- "Hard"/"Medium"/"Easy" (if you find it so cool how hard/easy it is, tell it in the post and use a title that tells us the problem)
- "Number Theory" (hey guy, guess why this forum's named that way¿ and is it the only such problem on earth¿)
- "Fibonacci" (there are millions of Fibonacci problems out there, all posted and named the same...)
- "Chinese TST 2003" (does this say anything about the problem¿)
Good titles:
- "On divisors of a³+2b³+4c³-6abc"
- "Number of solutions to x²+y²=6z²"
- "Fibonacci numbers are never squares"


b) Use search function:
Before posting a "new" problem spend at least two, better five, minutes to look if this problem was posted before. If it was, don't repost it. If you have anything important to say on topic, post it in one of the older threads.
If the thread is locked cause of this, use search function.

Update (by Amir Hossein). The best way to search for two keywords in AoPS is to input
[code]+"first keyword" +"second keyword"[/code]
so that any post containing both strings "first word" and "second form".


c) Good problem statement:
Some recent really bad post was:
[quote]$lim_{n\to 1}^{+\infty}\frac{1}{n}-lnn$[/quote]
It contains no question and no answer.
If you do this, too, you are on the best way to get your thread deleted. Write everything clearly, define where your variables come from (and define the "natural" numbers if used). Additionally read your post at least twice before submitting. After you sent it, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.


For answers to already existing threads:


d) Of any interest and with content:
Don't post things that are more trivial than completely obvious. For example, if the question is to solve $x^{3}+y^{3}=z^{3}$, do not answer with "$x=y=z=0$ is a solution" only. Either you post any kind of proof or at least something unexpected (like "$x=1337, y=481, z=42$ is the smallest solution). Someone that does not see that $x=y=z=0$ is a solution of the above without your post is completely wrong here, this is an IMO-level forum.
Similar, posting "I have solved this problem" but not posting anything else is not welcome; it even looks that you just want to show off what a genius you are.

e) Well written and checked answers:
Like c) for new threads, check your solutions at least twice for mistakes. And after sending, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.



To repeat it: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!


Everything definitely out of range of common sense will be locked or deleted (exept for new users having less than about 42 posts, they are newbies and need/get some time to learn).

The above rules will be applied from next monday (5. march of 2007).
Feel free to discuss on this here.
49 replies
ZetaX
Feb 27, 2007
NoDealsHere
May 4, 2019
Problem 1 IMO 2005 (Day 1)
Valentin Vornicu   92
N 19 minutes ago by Baimukh
Six points are chosen on the sides of an equilateral triangle $ABC$: $A_1$, $A_2$ on $BC$, $B_1$, $B_2$ on $CA$ and $C_1$, $C_2$ on $AB$, such that they are the vertices of a convex hexagon $A_1A_2B_1B_2C_1C_2$ with equal side lengths.

Prove that the lines $A_1B_2$, $B_1C_2$ and $C_1A_2$ are concurrent.

Bogdan Enescu, Romania
92 replies
Valentin Vornicu
Jul 13, 2005
Baimukh
19 minutes ago
Inspired by old results
sqing   2
N 25 minutes ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $ a,b,c \ge  \frac{1}{21} $ and $ a+b+c=1. $. Prove that
$$(a^2-ab+b^2)(b^2-bc+c^2)(c^2-ca+a^2)\geq\frac{1}{729} $$Let $ a,b,c \ge  \frac{1}{10} $ and $ a+b+c=2. $. Prove that
$$(a^2-ab+b^2)(b^2-bc+c^2)(c^2-ca+a^2)\geq\frac{64}{729} $$Let $ a,b,c \ge  \frac{1}{11} $ and $ a+b+c=2. $. Prove that
$$(a^2-ab+b^2)(b^2-bc+c^2)(c^2-ca+a^2)\geq \frac{145161}{1771561} $$
2 replies
sqing
an hour ago
sqing
25 minutes ago
Very interesting inequalities
sqing   2
N 32 minutes ago by sqing
Source: Own
Let $  x ,y \geq 0 $ and $ x^2 -x+ \frac{1}{2}y\leq 1.$ Prove that
$$x^2 + ky  \leq \frac{k(5k-2)}{2k-1}$$Where $ k\in N^+.$
$$x^2 + y  \leq 3$$$$x^2 +  2y  \leq \frac{16}{3}$$
2 replies
sqing
2 hours ago
sqing
32 minutes ago
high school maths
aothatday   0
38 minutes ago
Source: my creation
find $f:\mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ such that:
$(x-y)(f(x)+f(y)) \leq f(x^2-y^2)$
0 replies
1 viewing
aothatday
38 minutes ago
0 replies
n x n square and strawberries
pohoatza   18
N an hour ago by shanelin-sigma
Source: IMO Shortlist 2006, Combinatorics 4, AIMO 2007, TST 4, P2
A cake has the form of an $ n$ x $ n$ square composed of $ n^{2}$ unit squares. Strawberries lie on some of the unit squares so that each row or column contains exactly one strawberry; call this arrangement $\mathcal{A}$.

Let $\mathcal{B}$ be another such arrangement. Suppose that every grid rectangle with one vertex at the top left corner of the cake contains no fewer strawberries of arrangement $\mathcal{B}$ than of arrangement $\mathcal{A}$. Prove that arrangement $\mathcal{B}$ can be obtained from $ \mathcal{A}$ by performing a number of switches, defined as follows:

A switch consists in selecting a grid rectangle with only two strawberries, situated at its top right corner and bottom left corner, and moving these two strawberries to the other two corners of that rectangle.
18 replies
pohoatza
Jun 28, 2007
shanelin-sigma
an hour ago
The Tetrahedral Space Partition
jannatiar   7
N an hour ago by sami1618
Source: 2025 AlborzMO Day 2 P3
Is it possible to partition three-dimensional space into tetrahedra (not necessarily regular) such that there exists a plane that intersects the edges of each tetrahedron at exactly 4 or 0 points?

Proposed by Arvin Taheri
7 replies
jannatiar
Mar 9, 2025
sami1618
an hour ago
Nasty Floor Sum with Omega Function
Kezer   8
N an hour ago by cubres
Source: Bulgaria 1989, Evan Chen's Summation Handout
Let $\Omega(n)$ denote the number of prime factors of $n$, counted with multiplicity. Evaluate \[ \sum_{n=1}^{1989} (-1)^{\Omega(n)}\left\lfloor \frac{1989}{n} \right \rfloor. \]
8 replies
Kezer
Jul 15, 2017
cubres
an hour ago
NT functional equation on positive integers
RootofUnityfilter   0
an hour ago
Source: my teacher
Let $\mathbb{Z^+}$ denote the set of positive integers.
Find all function $f: \mathbb{Z^+} \rightarrow \mathbb{Z^+}$ such that for all $m, n \in \mathbb{Z^+}$,
\[f(mn)^2 = f(m^2)f(f(n))f(mf(n))\]if and only if $\gcd(m, n) = 1$
0 replies
RootofUnityfilter
an hour ago
0 replies
There is a tri-blued unit square
Ankoganit   18
N 2 hours ago by alexanderhamilton124
Source: India TST 2016 Day 3 Problem 3
Let $n$ be an odd natural number. We consider an $n\times n$ grid which is made up of $n^2$ unit squares and $2n(n+1)$ edges. We colour each of these edges either $\color{red} \textit{red}$ or $\color{blue}\textit{blue}$. If there are at most $n^2$ $\color{red} \textit{red}$ edges, then show that there exists a unit square at least three of whose edges are $\color{blue}\textit{blue}$.
18 replies
Ankoganit
Jul 22, 2016
alexanderhamilton124
2 hours ago
D is incenter
Layaliya   2
N 2 hours ago by Lil_flip38
Source: From my friend in Indonesia
Given an acute triangle \( ABC \) where \( AB > AC \). Point \( O \) is the circumcenter of triangle \( ABC \), and \( P \) is the projection of point \( A \) onto line \( BC \). The midpoints of \( BC \), \( CA \), and \( AB \) are \( D \), \( E \), and \( F \), respectively. The line \( AO \) intersects \( DE \) and \( DF \) at points \( Q \) and \( R \), respectively. Prove that \( D \) is the incenter of triangle \( PQR \).
2 replies
Layaliya
4 hours ago
Lil_flip38
2 hours ago
Mmo 9-10 graders P5
Bet667   4
N 2 hours ago by Bet667
Let $a,b,c,d$ be real numbers less than 2.Then prove that $\frac{a^3}{b^2+4}+\frac{b^3}{c^2+4}+\frac{c^3}{d^2+4}+\frac{d^3}{a^2+4}\le4$
4 replies
Bet667
Today at 6:54 AM
Bet667
2 hours ago
Medians and stuff regarding it
Konigsberg   2
N 2 hours ago by lightsynth123
Source: SMO(O) 2014 #2
Let $ABC$ be an acute-angled triangle and let $D$, $E$, and $F$ be the midpoints of $BC$, $CA$, and $AB$ respectively. Construct a circle, centered at the orthocenter of triangle $ABC$, such that triangle $ABC$ lies in the interior of the circle. Extend $EF$ to intersect the circle at $P$, $FD$ to intersect the circle at $Q$ and $DE$ to intersect the circle at $R$. Show that $AP=BQ=CR$.
2 replies
Konigsberg
Jan 22, 2015
lightsynth123
2 hours ago
interesting nt
medhimdi   0
2 hours ago
Source: OFM2021 Senior P1
Let $a_1, a_2, a_3, \dots$ and $b_1, b_2, b3, \dots$ be two sequences of integers such that $a{n+2}=a_{n+1}+an$ and $b{n+2}=b_{n+1}+b_n$ for all $n\geq1$. Suppose that $a_n$ divides $b_n$ for an infinity of integers $n\geq1$. Prove that there exist an integer $c$ such that $b_n=ca_n$ for all $n\geq1$
0 replies
medhimdi
2 hours ago
0 replies
Inequality from China
sqing   0
2 hours ago
Source: lemondian(https://kuing.cjhb.site/thread-13667-1-1.html)
Let $x\in (0,\frac{\pi}{2}) . $ Prove that $$tanx\ge x^k$$Where $ k=1,2,3,4.$
0 replies
sqing
2 hours ago
0 replies
Romania TST 2021 Day 1 P4
oVlad   21
N Mar 31, 2025 by ravengsd
Determine all functions $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ which satisfy the following relationship for all real numbers $x$ and $y$\[f(xf(y)-f(x))=2f(x)+xy.\]
21 replies
oVlad
May 15, 2021
ravengsd
Mar 31, 2025
Romania TST 2021 Day 1 P4
G H J
G H BBookmark kLocked kLocked NReply
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oVlad
1721 posts
#1 • 5 Y
Y by centslordm, tiendung2006, itslumi, Mango247, ItsBesi
Determine all functions $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ which satisfy the following relationship for all real numbers $x$ and $y$\[f(xf(y)-f(x))=2f(x)+xy.\]
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by oVlad, Apr 1, 2022, 11:12 AM
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pco
23497 posts
#2 • 5 Y
Y by centslordm, Mango247, Mango247, ATM_, AlexCenteno2007
oVlad wrote:
Determine all functions $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ which satisfy the relationship \[f(xf(y)-f(x))=2f(x)+xy,\text{ for any }x,y\in\mathbb{R}.\]
Let $P(x,y)$ be the assertion $f(xf(y)-f(x))=2f(x)+xy$
Let $a=f(0)$

$P(1,x)$ $\implies$ $f(f(x)-f(1))=2f(1)+x$ and $f(x)$ is bijective
Let $u=f^{-1}(0)$

$P(u,0)$ $\implies$ $f(ua)=0=f(u)$ and so since injective, $ua=u$ And so $u=0$ or $a=1$

If $u=0$ (and so $a=0$ ) : $P(x,0)$ $\implies$ $f(-f(x))=2f(x)$ and so, since surjective, $f(x)=-2x\quad\forall x$
Which unfortunately is not a solution.

If $a=1$ : $P(u,u)$ $\implies$ $u^2=1$ and so $u=-1$ (since $u\ne a$)
$P(x,-1)$ $\implies$ $f(-f(x))=2f(x)-x$
$P(-1,x)$ $\implies$ $f(-f(x))=-x$
And so $2f(x)-x=-x$ and $f\equiv 0$, which is not a solution.

Hence $\boxed{\text{No such function}}$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by pco, May 15, 2021, 5:13 PM
Reason: Typo
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Tintarn
9029 posts
#3 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, Mango247, alexanderhamilton124
Solution
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Tintarn
9029 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by pco, centslordm
pco wrote:
...and so $u=-1$ (since $u\ne a$)
Why $u \ne a$? In fact, I think that $u=a=1$ leads to the solution $f(x)=1-x$.
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pco
23497 posts
#5 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
You're right!
I decided $u\ne a$ wrongly using (badly) injectivity :)
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bora_olmez
277 posts
#6 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
I guess this is the outcome when I try and do FE's past midnight, here is an unnecessarily lengthy solution which is motivated by $P(x,2)$ after some "initial work".
Solution
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by bora_olmez, Aug 5, 2021, 8:44 AM
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rafaello
1079 posts
#9 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Cute

Let $P(x,y)$ be the assertion.
Firstly, we do the following observations:
  • $P\left(x,-\frac{2f(x)}{x}\right)\implies f(xf\left(-\frac{2f(x)}{x}\right)-f(x))=0$.
  • $f$ is injective from $P(1,a_1)$ and $P(1,a_2)$ if $f(a_1)=f(a_2)$.
Hence, $\exists a$ so that $f(a)=0$.
$P\left(x,-\frac{f(x)}{x}\right)\implies xf\left(-\frac{f(x)}{x}\right)-f(x)=x$.
If $a\neq 0$, then we get plugging $x=a$ into the equation above, we obtain $f(0)=1$. Here from $P(1,1)$ we obtain $1=2f(1)+1\implies f(1)=0$ (and thus $a$ is actually $1$ from injectivity). Now we break our proof into two cases:
Case 1. $f(1)=0$ and $f(0)=1$.
$P(0,y)\implies f(-1)=2$.
$P(1,y)\implies f(f(y))=y$ and therefore $f(2)=f(f(-1))=-1$.
$P(x,2)\implies f(-x-f(x))=2(x+f(x))$.
On the other hand,
$P(f(x+f(x)),1)\implies f(-x-f(x))=2(x+f(x))+f(x+f(x))$, therefore $f(x+f(x))=0=f(1)$ and from the injectivity, we get solution $f(x)=1-x\forall x\in\mathbb R$.

Case 2. $f(0)=0$. Here we bring out a weird contradiction argument to nuke this case.
$P(x,0)\implies f(-f(x))=2f(x)$. Taking $x\rightarrow -f(x)$, we have $f(-2f(x))=4f(x)$.
From $P\left(x,-\frac{2f(x)}{x}\right)$ by injectivity, $f\left(-\frac{2f(x)}{x}\right)=\frac{f(x)}{x}$.
Taking here $x\rightarrow -f(x)$, we obtain $f(4)=-2$.
Notice that from $f(-2f(x))=4f(x)$, taking $x=4$, we have $-2=f(4)=-8$, contradiction, get nuked.

We conclude that our only solution is $\boxed{f(x)=1-x\forall x\in\mathbb R}$. This obviously satisfies the given.
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jasperE3
11156 posts
#10 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
$P(1,x)\Rightarrow f(f(x)-f(1))=2f(1)+x\Rightarrow f$ is bijective. Let $k=f^{-1}(0)$.
$P(k,x)\Rightarrow f(kf(x))=kx$
$P(k,kf(x))\Rightarrow f(k^2x)=k^2f(x)$
Now we can say that $0\in\{f(0),f(-1),f(1)\}$. There are many ways to prove this ($x=1/k,0,k$), but we will take $x=k$, so $f(k^3)=k^2f(k)=0=f(k)$, hence $k\in\{0,-1,1\}$.

$\textbf{Case 1: }f(0)=0$
$P(x,0)\Rightarrow f(-f(x))=2f(x)$, by surjectivity now we have $f(x)=-2x$, which doesn't work.

$\textbf{Case 2: }f(1)=0$
$P(1,1)\Rightarrow f(0)=1$
$P(0,20)\Rightarrow f(-1)=2\Rightarrow f(2)=f(f(-1))=-1$
$P(1,x)\Rightarrow f(f(x))=x$
$P(f(x),1)\Rightarrow f(-x)=2x+f(x)$
$P(x,2)\Rightarrow f(-x-f(x))=2f(x)+2x f(x+f(x))=0\Rightarrow\boxed{f(x)=1-x}$, which works (using $P(f(x),1)$).

$\textbf{Case 3: }f(-1)=0$
$P(-1,x)-P(x,-1)\Rightarrow 2f(x)-x=-x\Rightarrow f(x)=0$, which doesn't work.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by jasperE3, May 16, 2021, 12:31 PM
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oVlad
1721 posts
#11 • 3 Y
Y by centslordm, Mango247, Mango247
My sol: (a bit over–complicated lol)

Observe that if $f(a)=f(b)$ then $P(1,a)$ and $P(1,b)$ directly give us $a=b$, so $f$ is injective. Moreover, $P(1,c-2f(1))$ gives us $f(f(c-2f(1))-f(1))=c$ so $f$ is surjective too. Therefore, $f$ is bijective.

Now, let $c\in\mathbb{R}$ such that $f(c)=0$. $P(c,c)$ gives us $f(0)=c^2$ and, using this, $P(c,0)$ gives us $f(c^3)=0$. Because $f$ is bijective, we can conclude that $c^3=c$ so $c\in\{0,1,-1\}$.

Assume $c=0$. Using the fact that $f$ is bijective, $P(f^{-1}(-x),0)$ gives us $f(x)=-2x$. Therefore, for any $x$ we have $f(x)=-2x$, but a simple check will reveal the fact that this does not work.

Assume $c=-1$. Then $P(-1,x)$ gives us $f(-f(x))=-x$ and $P(x,-1)$ gives us $f(-f(x))=2f(x)-x$ and combining these two equations, $f(x)=0$ for any $x$. However, this is also a contradiction.

Therefore, $c=1$. So $f(1)=0$ and using the fact that $f(0)=c^2$ we get $f(0)=1$. Moreover, $P(0,0)$ gives us $f(-1)=2$ and $P(1,x)$ results in $f(f(x))=x$. Therefore, $-1=f(f(-1))=f(2)$.

Therefore, $P(x,2)$ gives us $f(-(f(x)+x))=2(f(x)+x)$. Let $f(x)+x=k$, so for this $k, \ f(-k)=2k$.

Now, observe that $P(x,0)$ gives us $f(x-f(x))=2f(x)$. Combining $f(x-f(x))=2f(x)$ with the fact that $f$ is bijective, we get that $g:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}, \ g(x)=x-f(x)$ is surjective. Now, let $x=\alpha$ such that $g(\alpha)=-k$. Therefore, $f(\alpha-f(\alpha))=2f(\alpha)\iff f(-k)=2f(\alpha)\iff 2k=2f(\alpha)$. So $f(\alpha)=k$ but we chose $\alpha$ such that $g(\alpha)=-k\iff \alpha-f(\alpha)=-k\iff\alpha-k=-k$ so $\alpha=0$. Therefore, $0-f(0)=-k$ so $k=1$!

But remember that we chose $x+f(x)$ to be $k$. Therefore, for any $x$ we have $x+f(x)=1$ which gives us the desired function, $f(x)=1-x$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by oVlad, May 16, 2021, 6:04 PM
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jasperE3
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#12 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
For instance $f(x)=x$ is bijective but $x-f(x)$ is not.
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oVlad
1721 posts
#13 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
I know. Let me prove the assertion for you. Assume $g(x)$ is not surjective. Therefore, there exists some $k$ such that $g(x)\neq k$ for any $x$. Therefore, because of the fact that $f$ is bijective, $f(x-f(x))\neq f(k)$ for any $x$. However, just take $x=f^{-1}\bigg(\frac{f(k)}{2}\bigg)$ and observe that plugging this in $f(x-f(x))=2f(x)$ gives us the fact that, indeed, for some $x$ we have $f(x-f(x))=f(k)$, contradiction. Therefore, $g(x)$ is surjective.

Indeed, if $f(x)$ is bijective it does not solely imply $g(x)$ is surjective, but we also have the condition that $f(x-f(x))=2f(x)\iff f(g(x))=2f(x)$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by oVlad, May 16, 2021, 6:10 PM
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SerdarBozdag
892 posts
#14 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
\(f\) is bijective. Let \(f(a)=0\) and \(f(b)=1\). \(P(a,b)\) gives \(ab=0\).

1) \(a=0\), \(P(x,0) \implies f(x)= -2x\), not a solution.

2) \(b=0\), \(P(a,a) \implies a=1\) or \(a=-1\).

\(i)\) \(a=-1\), \(P(-1,x)\) and \(P(x,-1) \implies f(x)=0\), not a solution.

\(ii)\) \(a=1\), \(P(1,x) \implies f(f(x))=x\),

\(+P(x,1) \implies f(-f(x))=2f(x)+x\),
\(+P(f(x),1) \implies *f(-x)=f(x)+2x \implies f(-1)=2\),
\(+P(-1,x) \implies f(-f(x)-2)=4-x\).

\(+\)Using * with the last equation gives \(f(f(x)+2)=-x-2f(x)=-f(-f(x))\). From surjectivity we have \(f(-x)+f(x+2) \implies f(x)+f(2-x)=0\).

\(+P(x,2-y)\) and using * gives \(f(xf(y)+f(x))+2xf(y)+xy=2x\). Plugging \(y=0\) in the last equation we have \(f(x+f(x))=0 \implies f(x)=1-x\) which is a solution.
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SatisfiedMagma
454 posts
#15 • 1 Y
Y by centslordm
Problem Statement
Answer
Let the assertion to the given Functional Equation be $P(x,y)$.
Claim 1: $f$ is surjective.
$\text{Proof:}$ $P(1,y)$ gives $$f(f(y)-f(1))=2f(1)+y$$and as $y$ is surjective in $\mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$, so $f$ must be surjective.$\square$
Now, as $f$ is surjective, so $\exists \,\, \alpha : f(\alpha)=0$

Claim 2: $f(0)=\alpha^2$.
$\text{Proof:}$ $P(\alpha , \alpha)$ gives $$f(0)=\alpha ^2 $$This proves our claim. $\square$
Claim 3: $f$ is injective.
$\text{Proof:} $ $P(\alpha,y)$ gives $$f(\alpha f(y))=\alpha y$$This is immediately shows injectivity. $\square$
Remark
Claim 4: Only possible values of $\alpha$ are $1,0,-1$.
$\text{Proof:}$ $P(\alpha,0)$ gives $$f(\alpha f(0))=0$$By Claim 2 and Claim 3, we have: \[f(\alpha^3)=f(\alpha)=0\]By bijectivity, we get $\alpha^3=\alpha \implies \alpha \in \{1,-1,0\}$. $\square$
Claim 5: $\alpha$ can neither be $-1$ nor $0$.
$\text{Proof:}$ We will split it into two cases:

Case 1: $f(-1)=0$ is impossible.
$\text{Proof:}$ Trying $P(0,y)$ gives $$f(-f(0))=2f(0)$$but by Claim 2 putting $f(0)=\alpha^2=1$ we get:
\[0=f(-1)=2 \times 1=2\]which is absurd. $\square$

Case 2: $f(0)=0$ is impossible.
$\text{Proof:}$ Trying $P(x,0)$ we get:
\[f(-f(x))=2f(x)\]Using surjectivity, set $f(x)=z$ for all real $z$. We get $f(z)=-2z$ which does satisfy the original equation.$\square$
$\textcolor{red}{\textbf{\textsf{Claim 6:}}}$ If $f(1)=0$ then, $f(x)=1-x$ is the only solution.
Credits We will firstly show some lemmas:

Lemma 1: $f(f(x))=x$ if $f(1)=0$
$\text{Proof:}$ $P(x,1)$ gives it immediately with $f(1)=0$ or put $\alpha=1$ in Claim 3. $\square$

Lemma 2: $f(-x-f(x))=2(x+f(x))$ if $f(1)=0$.
$\text{Proof:}$ $P(x,2)$ gives the desired as $f(2)=-1$. $f(2)=-1$ can be obtained by $P(0,y)$ and by Lemma 1.

Lemma 3: (Killer) $f(-x-f(x))=2(f(x)+x)+f(f(x)+x)$ if $f(1)=0$.
$\text{Proof:}$ $P(f(f(x)+x),1)$ along with Lemma 1 gives the desired. $\square$ Spider Sense

$\text{Proof of\,\,}\textcolor{red}{\textbf{\textsf{Claim 6}}}\text{:}$ By combining Lemma 2 and Lemma 3 we get that $$f(f(x)+x)=0=f(1)$$and by bijectivity of $f$, we finally conclude that $\boxed{f(x)=1-x}$ is the only solution to the Functional Equation. $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 27 times. Last edited by SatisfiedMagma, Jun 28, 2021, 3:53 PM
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DakuMangalSingh
72 posts
#16 • 4 Y
Y by itslumi, Mango247, Mango247, Mango247
Answer

Solution
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MathLuis
1471 posts
#18
Y by
Neat F.E.
Let $P(x,y)$ the assertion of the given F.E.. We claim that $f(x)=1-x$ is the only solution to this F.E.
Claim 1: $f$ is bijective
Proof: Set $x \ne 0$ and then by $P \left(x,\frac{y-2f(x)}{x} \right)$
$$f \left(xf \left(\frac{y-2f(x)}{x} \right)-f(x) \right)=y \implies f \; \text{surjective}$$Now assume that $f(a)=f(b)$ then by comparing $P(x,a)$ and $P(x,b)$ for $x \ne 0$
$$ax=bx \implies a=b \implies f \; \text{injective}$$Hence $f$ is bijective aa desired.
Claim 2: $f(1)=0$ and $f(0)=1$
Proof: Using Claim 1 we can let $c,d$ such that $f(c)=0$ and $f(d)=1$, then by $P(c,d)$
$$cd=0 \implies c \; \text{or} \; d =0$$Case 1: $c=0$
Then by $P(x,0)$ and surjectivity
$$f(-f(x))=2f(x) \implies f(t)=-2t \; \forall t \in \mathbb R$$Which doesnt work hence we got a contradiction.
Case 2: $d=0$
Then by $P \left(c,\frac{1}{c} \right)$ and Claim 1
$$cf \left(\frac{1}{c} \right)=0 \implies c^2=1 \implies c= \pm 1$$Case 2.1: $c=-1$
Now by $P(0,y)$
$$0=f(-1)=2 \; \text{contradiction!!}$$Case 2.2: $c=1$
So we got $f(1)=0$ and $f(0)=1$ so our claim is complete.
Finishing: First we will get $f$ involutive by $P(1,x)$
$$f(f(x))=x \implies f \; \text{involution}$$Now the brute force part begins, as at this moment i have no idea what to do i will spam until i get something that looks promicing, which is afterall probably the main idea lol.
$P(x,0)$
$$f(x-f(x))=2f(x)$$$P(x,2)$ (becuase $f(2)=-1$ as $f$ is involutive)
$$f(-x-f(x))=2x+2f(x)$$$P(f(x),0)$
$$f(f(x)-x)=2x$$$P(f(x),1)$
$$f(-x)=2x+f(x)$$Now this along with a previous equation and the injectivity yeld
$$f(x+f(x))=-2x-2f(x)+2x+2f(x)=0 \implies x+f(x)=1 \implies f(x)=1-x$$Hence $\boxed{f(x)=1-x \; \forall x \in \mathbb R}$ is the only function that works, so we are done :D
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ZETA_in_olympiad
2211 posts
#19
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Clearly $f$ is bijective. Let $f(n)=0$ then $P(n,0)$ and $P(n,n)$ gives $f(-1)=0$ or $f(0)=0$ or $f(1)=0.$

A. $f(-1)=0:$ Then compare $P(x,-1)$ with $P(-1,x)$ to get $f(x)=0,$ which fails.
B. $f(0)=0:$ Then $P(x,0)$ gives $f(x)=-2x,$ also fails.
C. $f(1)=0:$ Then $f(0)=1.$ And $P(1,x)$ gives $f$ is an involution. Moreover $P(0,2)$ provides $f(2)=-1.$ Now injectivity and $P(x,2)$ compared with $P(f(x),1)$ forces $f(x)=1-x,$ which infact works.
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Iora
194 posts
#20
Y by
Let's hope I didn't make a silly mistake again :D
Let $P(x,y)$ be the asssertion of the given f.e. Note that by $P(1,y)$ we have $f(f(y)-f(1))=2f(1)+y$, since RHS varies in real numbers, $f$ is surjective, and since if $ \exists a \neq b: f(a)=f(b)$, using the latter equation we have $2f(1)+a=2f(1)+b$, contradiction, hence $f$ is bijective.

Since function is surjective, $\exists c: f(c)=0$. Then
$$P(c,0):f(cf(0))=0$$But since $f$ is injective, we must have $cf(0)=c$, so either $f(0)=0$ or $f(0)=1$. If $f(0)=1$, we have:


$$P(1,1): f(0)=2f(1)+1 \Rightarrow f(1)=0 \Leftrightarrow c=1$$Then going back to $P(1,y)$, we have $f(f(y))=y$, which means $f(x)=f^{-1}(x)$, which means $f$ is involution function.
Note that $P(0,y)$ gives $f(-1)=2$, and $f(2)=-1$ by involution. Now we spam $f(x)$ as variable and hope we get something useful.
\begin{align*}
  &P(f(x),1): f(-x) = 2x+ f(x)  \\
  &P(f(x),2):f(-f(x)-x)=2x+2f(x)
 \end{align*}Let $x+f(x)=y$. Notice from $P(f(x),2)$ that $f(-y)=2y$
But from $P(f(x),1)$ we know that $f(-y)=2y+f(y)$, hence $2y+f(y)=2y  \leftrightarrow f(y)=0$. Hence $y=1$, which gives us $\boxed{f(x)=1-x}$ which is satisfying our problem.

For the case $f(0)=0$, we have:
\begin{align*}
    &P(x,0):f(-f(x))=2f(x)  \Rightarrow f(y)=-2y
  \end{align*}But it does not satisfy the equation, hence contradiction.

Therefore $\boxed{f(x)=1-x}$ is the only solution.
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Batapan
93 posts
#21
Y by
This lemma also kills the problem
https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c3037128h2864292_cde_lemma
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Batapan, Feb 8, 2023, 10:40 AM
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SomeonesPenguin
123 posts
#22
Y by
.

Let $P(x,y)$ denote the given assertion. And let $f(1)=c$. One can also quickly note that $f$ is injective.

$\bullet$ $P(1,y)\Rightarrow f(f(y)-c)=2c+y$ $(1)$

$\bullet$ $P(x,f(y)-c)\Rightarrow f(xy+2cx-f(x))=2f(x)+xf(y)-cx$ $(2)$

Putting $x=1$ in this equation yields $f(y+c)=f(y)+c$. Suppose that $c\neq 0$, plugging $y\mapsto y+c$ in $(2)$ gives $$f(xy+3cx-f(x))=2f(x)+xf(y)=f(xf(f(y))-f(x))$$
Since $f$ is injective, this gives $y+3c=f(f(y))$, in particular $f$ is surjective. Plugging $y\mapsto f(y)$ in $(2)$ gives $$f(xf(y)+2cx-f(x))=2f(x)+xy+2cx=f(xf(y)-f(x))+2cx$$
Since $f$ is surjective, this gives $f(xy+2cx-f(x))=f(xy-f(x))+2cx$. Plugging $x=1$ into the last equation gives $$f(y+c)=f(y-c)+2c=y+4c$$
Hence $f$ is linear. This gives the solution $f(x)=1-x$.

Otherwise, if $c=0$, $(2)$ becomes $f(xy-f(x))=2f(x)+xf(y)$ so plugging $y=-1$ in here gives $f(-x-f(x))=2f(x)+xf(-1)$. Now $x\mapsto f(x)$ yields $2f(x)+xf(-1)=2x+f(x)f(-1)$ so $f(-1)=2$ or $f$ is linear. Since we have dealt with the latter, suppose that $f(-1)=2$. Also $P(1,y)$ gives $f(f(y))=y$.

$\bullet$ $P(f(x),f(1))\Rightarrow f(f(x)-x)=2x=f(f(2x))$ so $f(2x)=f(x)-x$

$\bullet$ $P(2,f(x/2))\Rightarrow f(x+1)=2f(x/2)-2=2f(x)+x-2$

Now let $g:\mathbb R\to \mathbb R$, $g(x)=f(x)+x$. From the above, we get $g(2x)=g(x)$ and $g(x+1)+1=2g(x)\iff g(x+1)-1=2(g(x)-1)$ so inducting gives $g(x+n)=2^ng(x)-2^n+1$. Notice that $(2)$ turns into $g(xy-g(x)+x)=g(x)+xg(y)-x$ so plugging $y\mapsto 2y$ gives $f(2xy-g(x)+x)=g(xy-g(x)+x)$. Now letting $x=2$ and $y\mapsto \frac{y}{2}$ gives $g(2y+3)=g(y+3)=g(2y+6)=8g(2y+3)-7$ so $g(x)=1$ for all $x$. Therefore, $f(x)=x-1$ $\forall x\in\mathbb R$ which does satisfy the given FE.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by SomeonesPenguin, Sep 22, 2024, 7:00 PM
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GeorgeRP
130 posts
#23
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Denote with $P(x,y)$ the assertation into $f(xf(y)-f(x))=2f(x)+xy$
$P(1,y)\Rightarrow$ $f$ is surjective
If $f(a)=f(b)$, then comparing $P(1,a), P(1,b)$ gives us $a=b \Rightarrow$ $f$ is bijective.
Let $t,r\in\mathbb{R}$ be s.t. $f(t)=0,f(r)=1$.
$P(t,r)\Rightarrow 0=rt$
If $f(0)=0$, then $P(x,0)$ gives us $f(-f(x))=2f(x)$.
$P(-f(x),3)\Rightarrow f(-f(x)f(3)-2f(x))=f(x)\Rightarrow (-f(3)-2)f(x)=x \Rightarrow f(x)=cx$
Checking the last we see that it's impossible, hence $f(0)=1$.
$P(0,0)\Rightarrow f(-1)=2$
$P(t,t)\Rightarrow 1=f(0)=t^2 \Rightarrow f(1)=0$
$P(1,-1)\Rightarrow f(2)=-1$
$P(1,y)\Rightarrow f(f(y))=y$
Let $A=\{x \mid f(x)=-2x\}$. Now let $a\in A$:
$P(f(a),1)\Rightarrow f(-a)=2a+f(a)=0 \Rightarrow a=-1$
$P(x,2)\Rightarrow f(-x-f(x))=2f(x)+2x \Rightarrow -x-f(x)\in A \Rightarrow -x-f(x)=-1 \Rightarrow \boxed{f(x)=1-x}$
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by GeorgeRP, Sep 22, 2024, 8:27 PM
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bin_sherlo
672 posts
#24
Y by
\[f(xf(y)-f(x))=2f(x)+xy\]Only function is $f(x)=1-x$. Let $P(x,y)$ be the assertion. By changing $y$, we see that $f$ is surjective. Also $f(a)=f(b)$ would imply $ax=bx$ or $a=b$ hence $f$ is also injective.
Claim: $f(1)=0$.
Proof: Let $f(1)=c$ and $f(a)=0$. $P(a,y)$ yields $f(af(y))=ay$. Thus, $f(0)=f(af(a))=a^2$ and $f(a^3)=f(af(0))=0=f(a)$ hence $a\in \{-1,0,1\}$.
\[P(1,-c): \ \ f(f(-c)-c)=2c-c=c=f(1)\implies f(-c)=c+1\]\[P(x,\frac{y-2f(x)}{x}): \ \ f(xf(\frac{y-2f(x)}{x})-f(x))=y\]So left hand side does not depend on $x$. Hence
\[f(xf(\frac{y-2f(x)}{x})-f(x))=f(f(y-2c)-c)\implies xf(\frac{y-2f(x)}{x})-f(x)=f(y-2c)-c\]Subsituting $x,y+2c$ yields $xf(\frac{y+2c-2f(x)}{x})=f(x)+f(y)-c$. If we choose $f(y)=c-f(x)$, then $y+2c-2f(x)=ax$ thus, $f(ax+2f(x)-2c)+f(x)=c$ for $x\neq 0$. If $a=0$, then $f(2f(x)-2c)+f(x)=c$. Since $f$ is surjective, we can replace $x$ with $f(x)$ which implies $f(2x-2c)+x=c$ or $f(x)=c-\frac{x+c}{2}=\frac{c-x}{2}$ which is not a solution. Now suppose that $f(-1)=0$. Choose $x=a$ to conclude that $f(a^2-2c)=c$ hence $a^2=2c+1$. But $a=-1$ yields $c=0$ which contradicts with the injectivity. Thus, $f(1)=0$.$\square$
Plugging $x=1$ gives $f(f(y))=y$.
\[f(xy-f(x))=2f(x)+xf(y)=f(f(2f(x)+xf(y)))\implies f(2f(x)+xf(y))=xy-f(x)\]\[f(2f(x)+xy)=xf(y)-f(x)=f(xy-f(x))-3f(x)\]Replace $y$ with $yx$ to see that $f(2f(x)+y)=f(y-f(x))-3f(x)$. Choosing $f(x),y$ yields
\[f(2x+y)=f(y-x)-3x\iff f(y+3x)=f(y)-3x\iff f(x+y)+x=f(y)\]Picking $y=0$ implies $f(x)+x=1\iff f(x)=1-x$ as desired.$\blacksquare$
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ravengsd
11 posts
#25 • 1 Y
Y by Kaus_sgr
Denote by $P(x,y)$ the given assertion.
$P(1,x): f(f(x)-f(1))=2f(1)+x$
Easily, the function $f$ is surjective(in the above relation, take $x\rightarrow x-2f(1)$). Moreover, if there exist two reals $a<b$ for which $f(a)=f(b)$ then $P(1,a)$ and $P(1,b)$ imply $a=b$, a contradiction, so the function $f$ is injective too.
Since the function $f$ is surjective there exist $k, l \in \mathbb{R}$ such that $f(k)=1$ and $f(l)=0$.
$P(l,k): f(lf(k)-f(l))=2f(l)+kl \Rightarrow kl=f(lf(k))=f(l)=0$.

Suppose we had: $l=0 \iff f(0)=0$. Then:
$P(1,1): f(f(1)-f(1))=f(0)=0=2f(1)+1 \Rightarrow f(1)=-\frac{1}{2}$.
$P(1,0):f(-f(1))=2f(1) \Rightarrow f(\frac{1}{2})=-1$.
$P(\frac{1}{2}, \frac{1}{2}): f(\frac{f(\frac{1}{2})}{2}-f(\frac{1}{2}))=2f(\frac{1}{2})+\frac{1}{4}\Rightarrow 1=\frac{1}{4}$, contradiction.
Therefore $l\neq 0$ so $k=0 \iff f(0)=1$.
$P(1,1):f(0)=1=2f(1)+1 \Rightarrow f(1)=0$
$P(1,x): f(f(x))=x$
$P(0,0):f(-f(0))=2f(0)\Rightarrow f(-1)=2 \Rightarrow f(2)=-1$

$P(f(x),y): f(f(x)f(y)-x)=2x+f(x)y$
Plugging $y\rightarrow 1$ in the above, we get $f(-x)=2x+f(x), \forall x \in \mathbb{R}$. Plugging in $x\rightarrow f(x)$ yields: $f(-f(x))=2f(x)+x$.
Now, $P(2, x): f(2f(x)+1)=-2+2x=2(x-1)$.
However $P(f(x), 0): f(f(x)-x)=2x, \forall x\in \mathbb{R}$ so by setting $x \rightarrow x-1$ we get $f(2f(x)+1)=f(f(x-1)-x+1)$ so by injectivity: $2f(x)=f(x-1)-x \Rightarrow 2f(x)+x=f(x-1)$
But $2f(x)+x=f(-f(x))$ therefore $f(x-1)=f(-f(x))$ and by injectivity, $f(x)=1-x, \forall x\in \mathbb{R}$, which trivially works, so we are done $\blacksquare$
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