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IMO 2019 Problem 1 Solution

This document provides a solution to Problem 1, which asks to determine all functions f from the integers to integers such that f(2a) + 2f(b) = f(f(a + b)) for all integers a and b. The solution shows that f must be a linear function of the form f(x) = 2x + c or f(x) = 0, where c is an integer. This is proved by manipulating the original equation and showing that f must satisfy the properties of a linear function.

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150 views2 pages

IMO 2019 Problem 1 Solution

This document provides a solution to Problem 1, which asks to determine all functions f from the integers to integers such that f(2a) + 2f(b) = f(f(a + b)) for all integers a and b. The solution shows that f must be a linear function of the form f(x) = 2x + c or f(x) = 0, where c is an integer. This is proved by manipulating the original equation and showing that f must satisfy the properties of a linear function.

Uploaded by

zarif
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
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IMO 2019 Problem 1 Solution

Tahmid Hameem Chowdhury


July 21, 2019

P roblem1

Let Z be the set of integers. Determine all functions,f : Z → Z such


that, for all integers a and b,

f (2a) + 2f (b) = f (f (a + b))

f (x) = 0 or 2x + c are the only solution to this function where c is an


integer.
Proof: I will first prove that it’s a linear function.

plugging in b = 0 we get, f (2a) + 2f (0) = f (f (a))

switching a and b we get, f (0) + 2f (a) = f (f (a))

So,

f (2a) + 2f (0) = f (0) + 2f (a) → f (2a) = 2f (a) − f (0)

plugging in the value of f (2a) in the original equation we get,

2f (a) + 2f (b) − f (0) = f (f (a + b))

now if, a + b = c + d then,

2f (a) + 2f (b) − f (0) = f (f (a + b)) = f (f (c + d)) = 2f (c) + 2(d) − f (0)

1
→ f (a) + f (b) = f (c) + f (d)

Now, (n + 2) + n = (n + 1) + (n + 1), so,

f (n + 2) + f (n) = f (n + 1) + f (n + 1) → f (n + 2) − f (n + 1) = f (n + 1) − f (n)

Thus the function is linear. let f (x) = ax + b for some integer a, b. Now,
plugging in the values in the original equation will give a = 2 or, a = b = 0

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