Difference between revisions of "Functional equation"
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===The Inverse of a Function=== | ===The Inverse of a Function=== | ||
− | The inverse of a function is a function that "undoes" a function. For an example, consider the function: f(x)<math> = x^2 + 6</math>. The function <math>g(x) = \sqrt{x-6}</math> has the property that <math>f(g(x)) = x</math>. In this case, <math>g</math> is called the inverse function. Often the inverse of a function <math>f</math> is denoted by <math>f^{-1}</math>. | + | The inverse of a function is a function that "undoes" a function. For an example, consider the function: f(x)<math> = x^2 + 6</math>. The function <math>g(x) = \sqrt{x-6}</math> has the property that <math>f(g(x)) = x</math>. In this case, <math>g</math> is called the '''(right) inverse function'''. (Similarly, a function <math>g</math> so that <math>g(f(x))=x</math> is called the '''left inverse function'''. Typically the right and left inverses coincide on a suitable domain, and in this case we simply call the right and left inverse function the '''inverse function'''.) Often the inverse of a function <math>f</math> is denoted by <math>f^{-1}</math>. |
==Intermediate Topics== | ==Intermediate Topics== |
Revision as of 14:59, 23 June 2006
Functional Equations are equations that involve functions. For an example, these are some examples of functional equations:
Contents
[hide]Introductory Topics
The Inverse of a Function
The inverse of a function is a function that "undoes" a function. For an example, consider the function: f(x). The function has the property that . In this case, is called the (right) inverse function. (Similarly, a function so that is called the left inverse function. Typically the right and left inverses coincide on a suitable domain, and in this case we simply call the right and left inverse function the inverse function.) Often the inverse of a function is denoted by .
Intermediate Topics
Cyclic Functions
A cyclic function is a function that has the property that:
A classic example of such a function is because . Cyclic functions can significantly help in solving functional identities. Consider this problem:
Find such that . In this functional equation, let and let . This yields two new equations:
Now, if we multiply the first equation by 3 and the second equation by 4, and substract the second equation from the first, we have:
So clearly,