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k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
May 1, 2025
May is an exciting month! National MATHCOUNTS is the second week of May in Washington D.C. and our Founder, Richard Rusczyk will be presenting a seminar, Preparing Strong Math Students for College and Careers, on May 11th.

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[*]May 21st, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 2 Math Jam, Problems 5 and 6, Canada/USA Mathcamp staff will discuss solutions to Problems 5 and 6 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz![/list]
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0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
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
Interesting divisors
Warideeb   0
11 minutes ago
Find all odd positive integer $n$ such that for any two co-prime positive integers $(a,b)$ if $ab|n$ then $a+b-1|n$.
0 replies
1 viewing
Warideeb
11 minutes ago
0 replies
Nice problem
Martin.s   1
N 23 minutes ago by cazanova19921
If \(p\) is a prime and \(n \geq p\), then
\[
n! \sum_{pi+j=n} \frac{1}{p^i i! j!} \equiv 0 \pmod{p}.
\]
1 reply
Martin.s
Yesterday at 6:46 PM
cazanova19921
23 minutes ago
Interesting geometry problem
DrAymeinstein   3
N 32 minutes ago by Rayvhs
Source: Moroccan TST 2019 P6
Let $ABC$ be a triangle. The tangent in $A$ of the circumcircle of $ABC$ cuts the line $(BC)$ in $X$. Let $A'$ be the symetric of $A$ by $X$ and $C'$ the symetric of $C$ by the line $(AX)$
Prove that the points $A, C', A'$ and $B$ are concyclic.
3 replies
DrAymeinstein
Aug 23, 2024
Rayvhs
32 minutes ago
The next problem
SlovEcience   0
37 minutes ago
Let the sequence be defined as follows:
\[
f_1 = 1, f_{2n} = 3f_n, f_{2n+1} = f_{2n} + 1.
\]Find the value of \( f_{100} \).
Can someone help me solve this problem by using a base numeral system?
0 replies
1 viewing
SlovEcience
37 minutes ago
0 replies
small problem
sadwinter   0
an hour ago
Source: own
Let $0\leq a,b \leq1$. Prove that
$0\leq(a+2b)^2-4a(4b-a-3ab^2)(2a^2+b^2)\leq9$
0 replies
+1 w
sadwinter
an hour ago
0 replies
Circle Midpoint Config
Fuyuki   0
an hour ago
In triangle ABC, point D is the midpoint of BC. Let the second intersection of AD and (ABC) be E. Then, F is the intersection of EC and AB. G is the intersection of BE and AC. Prove that BC is parallel to FG.
0 replies
Fuyuki
an hour ago
0 replies
IMO ShortList 2001, combinatorics problem 4
orl   13
N 2 hours ago by Aiden-1089
Source: IMO ShortList 2001, combinatorics problem 4
A set of three nonnegative integers $\{x,y,z\}$ with $x < y < z$ is called historic if $\{z-y,y-x\} = \{1776,2001\}$. Show that the set of all nonnegative integers can be written as the union of pairwise disjoint historic sets.
13 replies
orl
Sep 30, 2004
Aiden-1089
2 hours ago
A weird problem
jayme   0
3 hours ago
Dear Mathlinkers,

1. ABC a triangle
2. 0 the circumcircle
3. I the incenter
4. 1 a circle passing througn B and C
5. X, Y the second points of intersection of 1 wrt BI, CI
6. 2 the circumcircle of the triangle XYI
7. M, N the symetrics of B, C wrt XY.

Question : if 2 is tangent to 0 then, 2 is tangent to MN.

Sincerely
Jean-Louis
0 replies
1 viewing
jayme
3 hours ago
0 replies
NT game with products
Kimchiks926   4
N 3 hours ago by math-olympiad-clown
Source: Baltic Way 2022, Problem 20
Ingrid and Erik are playing a game. For a given odd prime $p$, the numbers $1, 2, 3, ..., p-1$ are written on a blackboard. The players take turns making moves with Ingrid starting. A move consists of one of the players crossing out a number on the board that has not yet been crossed out. If the product of all currently crossed out numbers is $1 \pmod p$ after the move, the player whose move it was receives one point, otherwise, zero points are awarded. The game ends after all numbers have been crossed out.

The player who has received the most points by the end of the game wins. If both players have the same score, the game ends in a draw. For each $p$, determine which player (if any) has a winning strategy
4 replies
Kimchiks926
Nov 12, 2022
math-olympiad-clown
3 hours ago
set with c+2a>3b
VicKmath7   49
N 3 hours ago by wangyanliluke
Source: ISL 2021 A1
Let $n$ be a positive integer. Given is a subset $A$ of $\{0,1,...,5^n\}$ with $4n+2$ elements. Prove that there exist three elements $a<b<c$ from $A$ such that $c+2a>3b$.

Proposed by Dominik Burek and Tomasz Ciesla, Poland
49 replies
VicKmath7
Jul 12, 2022
wangyanliluke
3 hours ago
interesting geo config (2/3)
Royal_mhyasd   8
N 4 hours ago by Royal_mhyasd
Source: own
Let $\triangle ABC$ be an acute triangle and $H$ its orthocenter. Let $P$ be a point on the parallel through $A$ to $BC$ such that $\angle APH = |\angle ABC-\angle ACB|$. Define $Q$ and $R$ as points on the parallels through $B$ to $AC$ and through $C$ to $AB$ similarly. If $P,Q,R$ are positioned around the sides of $\triangle ABC$ as in the given configuration, prove that $P,Q,R$ are collinear.
8 replies
Royal_mhyasd
Saturday at 11:36 PM
Royal_mhyasd
4 hours ago
Problem 10
SlovEcience   4
N 4 hours ago by SlovEcience
Let \( x, y, z \) be positive real numbers satisfying
\[ xy + yz + zx = 3xyz. \]Prove that
\[
\sqrt{\frac{x}{3y^2z^2 + xyz}} + \sqrt{\frac{y}{3x^2z^2 + xyz}} + \sqrt{\frac{z}{3x^2y^2 + xyz}} \le \frac{3}{2}.
\]
4 replies
SlovEcience
May 30, 2025
SlovEcience
4 hours ago
IMO ShortList 2003, combinatorics problem 4
darij grinberg   39
N 5 hours ago by ThatApollo777
Source: Problem 5 of the German pre-TST 2004, written in December 03
Let $x_1,\ldots, x_n$ and $y_1,\ldots, y_n$ be real numbers. Let $A = (a_{ij})_{1\leq i,j\leq n}$ be the matrix with entries \[a_{ij} = \begin{cases}1,&\text{if }x_i + y_j\geq 0;\\0,&\text{if }x_i + y_j < 0.\end{cases}\]Suppose that $B$ is an $n\times n$ matrix with entries $0$, $1$ such that the sum of the elements in each row and each column of $B$ is equal to the corresponding sum for the matrix $A$. Prove that $A=B$.
39 replies
darij grinberg
May 17, 2004
ThatApollo777
5 hours ago
greatest volume
hzbrl   4
N 5 hours ago by hzbrl
Source: purple comet
A large sphere with radius 7 contains three smaller balls each with radius 3 . The three balls are each externally tangent to the other two balls and internally tangent to the large sphere. There are four right circular cones that can be inscribed in the large sphere in such a way that the bases of the cones are tangent to all three balls. Of these four cones, the one with the greatest volume has volume $n \pi$. Find $n$.
4 replies
hzbrl
May 8, 2025
hzbrl
5 hours ago
BMO 2021 problem 2
VicKmath7   32
N Apr 28, 2025 by fearsum_fyz
Source: Balkan MO 2021 P2
Find all functions $f: \mathbb{R}^{+} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{+}$, such that $f(x+f(x)+f(y))=2f(x)+y$ for all positive reals $x,y$.

Proposed by Athanasios Kontogeorgis, Greece
32 replies
VicKmath7
Sep 8, 2021
fearsum_fyz
Apr 28, 2025
BMO 2021 problem 2
G H J
Source: Balkan MO 2021 P2
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VicKmath7
1391 posts
#1 • 5 Y
Y by jhu08, HWenslawski, itslumi, LoloChen, Sedro
Find all functions $f: \mathbb{R}^{+} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{+}$, such that $f(x+f(x)+f(y))=2f(x)+y$ for all positive reals $x,y$.

Proposed by Athanasios Kontogeorgis, Greece
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by VicKmath7, Jan 1, 2023, 2:16 PM
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Soundricio
114 posts
#2 • 3 Y
Y by jhu08, HWenslawski, Pekiban
My solution:
Let $P(x,y):f(x+f(x)+f(y))=2f(x)+y$
$P(d,y)$ implies f is injective and surjective on $[2f(d),+\infty)$ where $d$ is constant.
$P(x,2f(y))$ implies that $Q(x,y):f(x+f(x)+f(2f(y))=2f(x)+2f(y)$. Now $Q(x,y)vsQ(y,x)$ gives
$f(x+f(x)+f(2f(y)))=f(y+f(y)+f(2f(x)))$ thus $f(2f(x))=x+f(x)+c$(1) by the injectivity of $f$.
Hence $P(x,y)$ rewrites as $f(f(2f(x))-c+f(y))=2f(x)+y$ and since $f(x)$ is surjective on $[2f(d),\infty)$ we have that $f(f(x)+f(y)-c)=x+y$ for all large x and $y\in\mathbb{R+}$.
Setting $x\to f(x)+f(y)-c$ (x large) in (1) we obtain that $f(2(x+y))=f(x)+x+f(y)+y$ for all x large and $y\in \mathbb{R+}$.
For all x,y,z large, consider $P(x,2(y+z))\Rightarrow Q(x,y,z): f(x+f(x)+f(y)+y+f(z)+z)=2f(x)+2(y+z)$. Now we compare $Q(x,y,z)$ with $Q(y,x,z)$ to get that $f(x)-x=f(y)-y$ for all large $x,y$. Thus $f(x)=x+c$ for all large x.
Taking a large $x$ in (1) we conclude that c=0 implying that $f(x)=x$ for all large x.
$P(x,y)$ where $x$ is large implies that $f\equiv id$ for all $x \in\mathbb{R+}$.
We can easily check that this function satisfies the given FE.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by Soundricio, Sep 8, 2021, 11:18 PM
Reason: .
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steppewolf
351 posts
#3 • 28 Y
Y by Illuzion, jhu08, vangelis, oVlad, microsoft_office_word, somethingthatjustmetal, nguyennam_2020, Quidditch, Elyson, agwwtl03, meowme, Iora, Infinityfun, guywholovesmathandphysics, Nurmuhammad06, Mathlover_1, TheHimMan, qwedsazxc, LoloChen, I.owais, Springles, Soviet_Union1917, b_behruz, anirbanbz, EvansGressfield, wizixez, raffigm, poirasss
Here is a solution using only substitutions.

Let $P(x,y)$ denote the assertion that

$$f(x+f(x)+f(y)) = 2f(x)+y.$$
$P(x,x)$ gives us:

$$f(x+2f(x)) = 2f(x)+x.$$
Using the above, $P(x+2f(x), x)$ gives us:

$$f(x+2f(x) + x + 2f(x)+f(x)) = 2(x+2f(x))+x$$
which is equivalent to:

$$f(2x+5f(x)) = 3x+4f(x).$$
Similarly, from $P(x,x+2f(x))$ we get:

$$f(x+f(x)+x+2f(x)) = 2f(x)+x+2f(x)$$$$ \iff f(2x+3f(x)) = x+4f(x).$$
Now using the above equation, $P(x,2x+3f(x))$ gives us:

$$f(x+f(x)+x+4f(x)) = 2f(x)+2x+3f(x)$$$$\iff f(2x+5f(x))=2x+5f(x).$$
Finally, we have:
$$2x+5f(x) = f(2x+5f(x)) = 3x+4f(x)$$which means that $f(x)=x$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by steppewolf, Sep 8, 2021, 7:59 PM
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Inshaallahgoldmedal
30 posts
#4 • 3 Y
Y by jhu08, ZHEKSHEN, vangelis
Solution
1. $$P(x,x) : f(2f(x)+x)=2f(x)+x$$2. $$P(x,2f(x)+x):  f(3f(x)+2x)=4f(x)+x$$(from 1)
3. $$P(x,3f(x)+2x) : f(5f(x)+2x)=5f(x)+2x$$(from 2)
4. $$P(2f(x)+x,x): f(5f(x)+2x)=4f(x)+3x$$(from1)
So finally $$4f(x)+3x=5f(x)+2x\Rightarrow f(x)=x$$for all positive reals
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cadaeibf
701 posts
#5 • 2 Y
Y by jhu08, FredAlexander
As above $f$ is injective and surjective on $(2f(1),+\infty)$. Also $t=1+2f(1)$ is a fixed point, and so $f(y+4t)=f(2t+(2t+y))=f(2t+2f(t)+y)=f(2t+f(t+f(t)+f(y)))=f(t+f(t)+f(2t+f(y))=2f(t)+2t+f(y)=f(y)+4t$
Also by induction we have $f(y+4nt)=f(y)+4nt$.
Now, since $f$ is surjective for big enough values, take $N$ so that $4Nt-f(y)>2f(1)$, and take a $x$ such that $f(x)=4Nt-f(y)$.
So we have $8Nt-f(y)=f(x)+4Nt=f(x+4Nt)=f(x+f(x)+f(y))=2f(x)+y=2(4Nt-f(y))+y\implies f(y)=y$
Which clearly always works
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silouan
3952 posts
#6 • 7 Y
Y by jhu08, judgefan99, Aryan-23, steppewolf, Wizard0001, Mango247, Mango247
Soundricio wrote:
My solution:
I am sure that the proposer is dangerousliri.
No, the proposer is Socrates! :-D
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jasperE3
11395 posts
#7 • 3 Y
Y by jhu08, guywholovesmathandphysics, MR.1
Let $P(x,y)$ denote the given assertion.
$P(x,x)\Rightarrow f(x+2f(x))=x+2f(x)$
$P(x,x+2f(x))\Rightarrow f(2x+3f(x))=x+4f(x)$
$P(x,2x+3f(x))\Rightarrow f(2x+5f(x))=2x+5f(x).$
$P(x+2f(x),x)\Rightarrow 2x+5f(x)=3x+4f(x)\Rightarrow\boxed{f(x)=x}$ which works.
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dangerousliri
932 posts
#9 • 6 Y
Y by steppewolf, jhu08, Aryan-23, Functional_equation, rama1728, Wizard0001
Soundricio wrote:
I am sure that the proposer is dangerousliri

Why if a functional is to BMO, should be mine. Others propose good functionals too. So, I congrat socrates for this good problem.
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P2nisic
406 posts
#10 • 1 Y
Y by jhu08
Let $P(x,y)$ be $ f(x+f(x)+f(y))=2f(x)+y$ (1)

$P(a+f(a)+f(b),y)$ gives: $f(a+f(a)+f(b)+f(a+f(a)+f(b))+f(y))=2f(a+f(a)+f(b))+y$ or
$f(a+f(a)+f(b)+2f(a)+b+f(y))=4f(a)+2b+y$ Let this be $R(a,b,y)$


$P(x,c+f(c)+f(d))$ gives: $f(x+f(x)+f(c+f(c)+f(d)))=2f(x)+c+f(c)+f(d)$ or
$f(x+f(x)+2f(c)+d)=2f(x)+c+f(c)+f(d)$ Let this be $Q(x,c,b)$


$Q(x,x,f(x)+x+f(y))$ gives: $f(2x+4f(x)+f(y))=3f(x)+x+f(f(x)+x+f(y))$ (1)

$R(x,x,y)$ gives:$f(2x+4f(x)+f(y))=4f(x)+2x+y$. (2)

(1) and (2) gives:$4f(x)+2x+y=3f(x)+x+f(f(x)+x+f(y))$or
$4f(x)+2x+y=3f(x)+x+2f(x)+y$ or $f(x)=x$.



Edit:
Actually I have get: $P(x+2f(x),y)$ and $P(x,x+f(x)+f(f(x)+x+f(y)))$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by P2nisic, Sep 8, 2021, 10:42 PM
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lahmacun
259 posts
#11 • 1 Y
Y by jhu08
First prove injectivity. Then, one can show that for any nonnegative integer $k$ and a positive real $x$, $$f((3k+2)f(x)+(k+1)x)=(3k+2)f(x)+(k+1)x$$and $$f((3k)f(x)+(k+1)x)=(3k+1)f(x)+kx$$by induction on $k$.
Then, just plug $P((3k+2)f(x)+(k+1)x, (3k)f(x)+(k+1)x)$ and finish.
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Functional_equation
530 posts
#12 • 5 Y
Y by socrates, guywholovesmathandphysics, Mango247, Mango247, Mango247
VicKmath7 wrote:
Find all functions $f:R+$ $\rightarrow$ $R+$, such that $f(x+f(x)+f(y))=2f(x)+y$ for all positive reals $x,y$.

Easy and nice.

$P(1,y)\implies f(1+f(1)+f(y))=2f(1)+y$
$P(x,1+f(1)+f(y))\implies f((x+f(x)+2f(1))+y)=(2f(x)+1+f(1))+f(y)$

This Lemma$\implies \frac{2f(x)+1+f(1)}{x+f(x)+2f(1)}=const\to f-linear$
Then $f(x)=x$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by Functional_equation, Sep 9, 2021, 6:03 AM
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Fakesolver19
106 posts
#15
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We claim that the only possible solution is $\fbox{f(x)=x}$
Let $P(x,y)$ be our assertion then,
Claim 1:-$f$ is injective.
$P(a,a) \rightarrow$
$$f(a+2f(a))=2f(a)+a$$$P(a,b) \rightarrow $
$$f(a+f(a)+f(b))=2f(a)+b$$let $f(a)=f(b)$, then $f(a+f(a)+f(a))=f(a+f(a)+f(b)) \Rightarrow 2f(a)+a=2f(a)+b \Rightarrow a=b$
Hence, $f$ is injective as desired.
$P(x,x) \rightarrow $
$$f(x+2f(x))=2f(x)+x$$$P(x,x+2f(x)) \rightarrow $
$$f(2x+3f(x))=4f(x)+x$$$P(x,2x+3f(x)) \rightarrow $
$$f(2x+5f(x))=2x+5f(x)$$$P(x+2f(x),x) \rightarrow $
$$f(x+2f(x)+x+2f(x)+f(x))=f(2x+5f(x))=3x+4f(x)$$$\Rightarrow 2x+5f(x)=3x+4f(x) \Rightarrow \fbox{f(x)=x}$
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square_root_of_3
78 posts
#16 • 1 Y
Y by gabrupro
Note that $f(1+2f(1))=1+2f(1)$. Hence, $f$ has a fixed point. Call it $t$. Consider an arbitrary positive real number $y$. Then $P(t, y)$ gives us $$f(f(y)+2t)=y+2t.$$Furthermore, $P(t, f(y)+2t)$ gives us $$f(y+4t)=f(y)+4t.$$Finally, $P(f(y)+2t, 1)$ gives us $$f(f(y)+y+4t+f(1))=2(y+2t)+1.$$However, $$f(f(y)+y+4t+f(1))=f(f(y)+y+f(1))+4t=2f(y)+1+4t.$$Hence, $2(y+2t)+1=2f(y)+1+4t$, which means $f(y)=y$. Since $y$ was arbitrary, the indentity function is the only candidate for the solution, and it's easy to check that it is a solution.
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by square_root_of_3, Sep 9, 2021, 11:27 AM
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bora_olmez
277 posts
#17 • 2 Y
Y by MathsLion, grupyorum
Even though the problem got praise from others, I strongly dislike the problem and generally functional equations of this flavor. The sad part about the problem is that it is not actually an $\mathbb{R}^{+}$ FE, nevertheless here is my solution.

Let $P(x,y)$ denote the above assertion.
Notice by $P(x,x)$ that $$f(x+2f(x))=x+2f(x) $$Then by $P(x,x+2f(x))$, we have that $$f(2x+3f(x)) = 4f(x)+x$$which by $P(x,2x+3f(x))$ and $P(x+2f(x),x)$ gives us that $$3x+4f(x) = 2f(x+2f(x))+x = f(2x+5f(x)) = 2f(x)+2x+3f(x) = 2x+5f(x)$$meaning that $f(x) = x$ for all $x \in \mathbb{R}^{+}$. $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by bora_olmez, Sep 9, 2021, 8:26 PM
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DakuMangalSingh
72 posts
#18
Y by
Much easy
Answer
Solution
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gghx
1072 posts
#19 • 2 Y
Y by Hermione.Potter, EmilXM
Do I win the least substitution contest?

$P(x,x+f(x)+f(y)+f(x+f(x)+f(y))+f(f(y))): f(f(y))=y$
$P(f(x),y): f(x)=x$.

All verification and all the pain is left to the reader as an exercise.
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lazizbek42
548 posts
#20 • 1 Y
Y by MELSSATIMOV40
you must first prove that f is greater than some number, then f is easily found for numbers greater than this number.
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TETris5
31 posts
#21
Y by
Does this work?
Click to reveal hidden text
I am wondering since the last substitution doesn't seem to have been used.1
This post has been edited 6 times. Last edited by TETris5, Feb 2, 2022, 5:58 PM
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megarnie
5611 posts
#22 • 1 Y
Y by guywholovesmathandphysics
3:38

Let $P(x,y)$ denote the given assertion.

$P(x,x): f(x+2f(x))=x+2f(x)$.

$P(x+2f(x),x): f(2x+5f(x))=3x+4f(x)$.

$P(x,x+2f(x)): f(2x+3f(x))=x+4f(x)$.

$P(x,2x+3f(x)): f(2x+5f(x))=2x+5f(x)$.

Thus, $2x+5f(x)=3x+4f(x)\implies \boxed{f(x)=x}$, which works.
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Keith50
464 posts
#23 • 1 Y
Y by guywholovesmathandphysics
Ans: $f(x)=x$ for all positive real $x$.
Pf: Let $P(x,y)$ denote the given assertion,
\[P(x,x) \implies f(x+2f(x))=x+2f(x)\]\[P(x+2f(x),x)\implies f(2x+5f(x))=2x+5f(x)\]\[P(x,2x+5f(x))\implies f(3x+6f(x))=2x+7f(x)\]\[P(x+f(x),x+f(x))\implies f(3x+6f(x))=3x+6f(x)\]so \[2x+7f(x)=3x+6f(x) \implies f(x)=x. \ \ \blacksquare\]
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Mahdi_Mashayekhi
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#24
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$P(x,x) : f(2f(x) + x) = 2f(x) + x$
$P(x,2f(x) + x) : f(3f(x) + 2x) = 4f(x) + x$
$P(x,3f(x) + 2x) : f(5f(x) + 2x) = 5f(x) + 2x$
$P(2f(x) + x,x) : f(5f(x) + 2x) = 4f(x) + 3x$
so $4f(x) + 3x = 5f(x) + 2x \implies f(x) = x$
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ZETA_in_olympiad
2211 posts
#25 • 3 Y
Y by Mango247, Mango247, Mango247
Storage
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gghx
1072 posts
#26 • 1 Y
Y by Mango247
Alternatively, by this lemma, $2f(x)-f(x)-x=f(x)-x$ is constant, so $f$ is linear, and only $f(x)=x$ works.
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guptaamitu1
658 posts
#27
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The solution is $f(x) \equiv x$, which clearly works.

Let $P(x,y)$ be the given assertion.


Claim 1: $f$ is injective.

Proof: If $f(a) = f(b)$, compare $P(x,a)$ and $P(x,b)$ to obtain $a=b$. $\square$


Call a pair $(r,s)$ of real numbers good if
$$ f(x+r) = f(x) + s ~~ \forall ~ x > 0,-r  \qquad \qquad (1)$$As $f$ takes only positive values, so it isn't hard to see that $r,s$ must have the same sign. Also, as $f$ is injective, so either of $r,s$ being equal to $0$ implies the other to equal $0$ too, i.e. if $rs=0$ then we must have $(r,s) = (0,0)$.


Claim 2: For any $x_1,x_2 \in \mathbb R^+$, for
$$ r = 2f(x_1) - 2f(x_2) ~~~,~~~ s = (f(x_1) + x_1) - (f(x_2) + x_2) $$the pair $(r,s)$ is good.

Proof: Pick any $y_1,y_2 \in \mathbb R^+$ satisfying
$$ 2f(x_1) + y_1 = 2f(x_2) + y_2 $$Compare $P(x_1,y_1)$ and $P(x_2,y_2)$. Using injectivity of $f$ we obtain
$$ x_1 + f(x_1) + f(y_1) = x_2 + f(x_2) + f(y_2) $$It isn't hard to see that our Claim follows. $\square$


Claim 3: If $(r,s)$ is good, then $(2s,r+s)$ is also good.

Proof: Observe that
$$ 2f(x+r) - 2f(x) = 2s ~~~,~~~ (f(x+r) + x+r) - (f(x) + x) = r+s  $$So we are done by Claim 2. $\square$


Claim 4: $f$ has arbitrarily large fixed points.

Proof: $P(x,x)$ gives $$f(2f(x) + x) = 2f(x) + x$$As $f(x) \in \mathbb R^+$, so as $x$ becomes large, $2f(x) + x$ also becomes large, as desired. $\square$


Claim 5: If $(r,s)$ is good, then we must have $|r| \ge |s|$.

Proof: By definition, $(r,s)$ is good iff $(-r,-s)$ is good. We may assume $r,s$ are positive now (case $rs=0$ is direct). We want to show $r > s$. Pick a large $t$ for which $f(t) = t$. Pick largest $k \in \mathbb Z_{\ge 0}$ for which $kr < t$. Then,
$$0 < f ( t - kr) = f(t) - ks = t - ks \le (k+1)r - ks$$As $t$ can become arbitrarily large, so $k$ can become arbitrarily large, which implies our Claim. $\square$


Claim 6: If $r,s$ is good, we must have $r=s$.

Proof: We may assume $r,s > 0$. By Claim 3 we know $(2s,r+s)$ is also good. Using Claim 5 we obtain
$$ r \ge s ~~,~~ 2s \ge r+s $$This forces $r=s$, as desired. $\square$


We are ready to finish. Using Claim 2 and Claim 6 we obtain that for $x_1,x_2 \in \mathbb R^+$,
$$ 2f(x_1) - 2f(x_2) = (f(x_1) + x_1) - (f(x_2) + x_2) \implies f(x_1) - f(x_2) = x_1 - x_2 $$This gives that
$$ f(x) \equiv x+c $$for some constant $c \in \mathbb R$. We must have $c=0$, say because:
  • Just by Plugging in $f(x) \equiv x+c$ in $P(x,y)$.
  • $f$ as a fixed point by Claim 4.
This completes the proof. $\blacksquare$
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by guptaamitu1, Aug 19, 2022, 8:22 PM
Reason: LaTeX
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strong_boy
261 posts
#28 • 2 Y
Y by Mango247, Mango247
Nice Problem !

Let $P(x,y) : f(x+f(x)+f(y))=2f(x)+y$
$P(x,x) : f(x+2f(x))=2f(x)+x$ ( :cool: )
By ( :cool: ) and $P(x,x+2f(x))$ we get $f(2x+3f(x))=4f(x)+x$ ( ;) )
By ( ;) ) and $P(x,2x+3f(x))$ we get $f(2x+5f(x))=5f(x)+2x$ ( :ninja: )
$P(x+2f(x),x) : f(5f(x)+2x)=4f(x)+3x)$ . ( :alien: )
Now by ( :alien: ) and ( :ninja: ) we get our function is $f(x)=x$
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a_0a
35 posts
#29
Y by
Solution
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zaidova
89 posts
#30 • 2 Y
Y by monoditetra, Leparolelontane
Look this function for P(x,x)
same sol so not gonna share it
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by zaidova, Apr 28, 2025, 4:17 PM
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ATGY
2502 posts
#31
Y by
to above
Let $P(x,y)$ be the given assertion. We now proceed with the basic substitution of $P(x,x)$, which gives:
$$f(2f(x) + x) = 2f(x) + x$$$P(x, 2f(x) + x)$ gives:
$$f(3f(x) + 2x) = 4f(x) + x$$$P(2f(x) + x, x)$ gives:
$$f(5f(x) + 2x) = 4f(x) + 3x$$$P(x, 2x + 3f(x))$ gives:
$$f(5f(x) + 2x) = 5f(x) + 2x$$This means that $5f(x) + 2x = 4f(x) + 3x \implies f(x) = x$ so we are done.
injectivity approach
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Sedro
5856 posts
#33
Y by
We claim that the only solution is $\boxed{f\equiv \text{id}}$, which clearly works. We now show that it is the only one; let $P(x,y)$ denote the assertion.

Claim: $f$ has arbitrarily large fixed points.

Proof: From $P(x,x)$ we have that $f(2f(x)+x) = 2f(x)+x$, which implies $f$ has a fixed point. Suppose $a$ is a fixed point of $f$. Then, $P(a,a)$ gives $f(3a)=3a$, which means $3a$ is also a fixed point of $f$. By induction, $3^na$ is a fixed point of $a$ for any positive integer $n$, which proves our claim.

Claim: $f$ is surjective on some interval $(r,\infty)$, where $r\in \mathbb{R}^+$.

Proof: Fix $x$. Then, note $f(x+f(x)+f(y)) = 2f(x)+y$ can take on any positive real value greater than $2f(x)$ simply by varying $y$; hence proved.

Now, let $x$ be any positive real. From our two claims, we know there exists some positive real $y$ such that $x+f(x)+f(y)$ is a fixed point of $f$. Fix $y$ as such a value; then, we must have $x+f(x)+f(y) = 2f(x)+y$, or $f(x)-x = f(y)-y$, which implies $f(x) = x+c$, for some nonnegative real $c$. Plugging this into the given equation yields $2x+y+3c = 2x+y+2c$, so $c=0$, as desired. $\blacksquare$
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MathLuis
1559 posts
#35
Y by
Denote $P(x,y)$ as the assertion of the following F.E.
If $f(a)=f(b)$ then by $P(x,a)-P(x,b)$ gives $f$ injective as there is one term $y$ on RHS.
$P(x,x)$ gives $f(x+2f(x))=x+2f(x))$
$P(x+2f(x),x)$ gives $f(2x+5f(x))=3x+4f(x)$
$P(x,x+2f(x)$ gives $f(2x+3f(x))=x+4f(x)$
$P(x,2x+3f(x))$ gives $f(2x+5f(x))=2x+5f(x)$
Therefore joining both gives we get $f(x)=x$ for all positive reals $x$ as desired, thus we are done :cool:.
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navi_09220114
487 posts
#36
Y by
Write $(a,b) \rightarrow (c,d)$ to mean $f(af(x)+bx)=cf(x)+dx$ for all $x$.

First $x=y$ gives $(2,1)\rightarrow (2,1)$, and so $2f(x)+x$ is a fixed point.

Next note that if $a$ is a fixed point, then $x=y=a$ gives $3a$ is also a fixed point. So $(6,3) \rightarrow (6,3)$ too.

But set $y=af(x)+bx$ into the original equation means $(a,b)\rightarrow (c,d) \Rightarrow (c+1,d+1)\rightarrow (a+2,b)$.

Now, $(2,1)\rightarrow (2,1) \Rightarrow (3,2)\rightarrow (4,1) \Rightarrow (5,2) \rightarrow (5,2) \Rightarrow (6,3) \rightarrow (7,2)$

So $f(6f(x)+3x)=7f(x)+2x=6f(x)+3x \Rightarrow f(x)=x$.
This post has been edited 1 time. Last edited by navi_09220114, Nov 9, 2024, 6:08 AM
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cosdealfa
27 posts
#37 • 1 Y
Y by Kaus_sgr
storage
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fearsum_fyz
56 posts
#38
Y by
We claim that the only solution is the identity function $\boxed{f(x) = x}$. It is easy to check that this works. Now we will show that it is the only solution.

Claim 1: $f$ is injective.
Proof. $f(y) = f(z) \implies f(x  + f(x) + f(y)) = f(x + f(x) + f(z))$
$\implies \cancel{2 f(x)} + y = \cancel{2 f(x)} + z$
$\implies y  = z$ as desired.

Claim 2: $f$ is kinda surjective, i.e., $f$ hits everything above $c$ for some constant $c$.
Proof. Let $f(x) = \frac{c}{2}$. Let $k$ be a number greater than $c$. Set $y = k - c > 0$.
Now the substitution $P(x, y)$ yields $f(x + \frac{c}{2} + f(k - c)) = c + (k - c) = k$.
So for any $k > c$, there exists a number $a = (x + \frac{c}{2} + f(k - c))$ so that $f(a) = k$ as desired.

Claim 3: $f(x + 2 f(x)) = x + 2 f(x)$ for all $x$.
Proof. Simply substitute $x = y$ in the original equation.

Now define the function $g : (c, +\infty) \rightarrow (0, +\infty)$ as the "inverse" of $f$, i.e. the function such that $f(g(x)) = x$. By Claim 1 and Claim 2, this function exists and is injective.
My motivation for doing this was just that I wanted to do something with my first 2 claims but I couldn't think of anything else, so I decided to go with most crude, blatant way to use them.

Claim 4: $g$ satisfies Cauchy's additive functional equation.
Proof. Consider the following substitutions:
$$P(g(x + y), g(y)) \implies f(g(x + y) + x + 2y) = 2x + 2y + g(y)$$$$P(g(x), g(y) + 2y) \implies f(g(x) + x + f(g(y) + 2y)) = 2x + 2y + g(y)$$By Claim 1, this implies
$$g(x + y) + x + 2y = g(x) + x + f(g(y) + 2y)$$However, by Claim 3, we have
$$f(g(y) + 2y) = f(g(y) + 2 f(g(y))) = g(y) + 2y$$$$\implies g(x + y) + \cancel{x} + \cancel{2y} = g(x) + \cancel{x} + g(y) + \cancel{2y}$$$$\implies g(x + y) = g(x) + g(y)$$as desired.

Hence $g(x) \equiv ax$ for some constant $a$. It is easy to check that $a = 1$, so we have $f(x) = \frac{1}{a} \cdot x = x$ for all $x > c$.

Now consider an $x \leq c$. For an appropriately large $y$, we have
$$2 f(x) = f(x + f(x) + y) - y = x + f(x) + \cancel{y} - \cancel{y} \implies f(x) = x$$
We are done.
This post has been edited 3 times. Last edited by fearsum_fyz, Apr 29, 2025, 7:58 AM
Reason: latex fixed
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