Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS

FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

Functional Equation
In mathematics, a functional equation is any equation that specifies a function in implicit form. Often
the equation relates the value of a function (or functions) at some point with its values at other
points. The term functional equation usually refers to equations that cannot be simply reduced to
algebraic equations.

A functional equation, roughly speaking, is an equation in which some of the unknown to be solved
for are functions. For example, the following are functional equations:
 1
f ( x ) + 2f   = 2x , g ( x ) + 4g ( x ) + 4 = 8 sin x , f ( x + y ) = f ( x ) + f ( y )
2 2 2 2

x
Miscellaneous examples, The famous functional equations:
g ( x + y ) = g ( x ) + g ( y ) (Cauchy functional equation)

• f ( x + y ) = f ( x ) f ( y ) , satisfied by all exponential functions

• f ( xy ) = f ( x ) + f ( y ) , satisfied by all logarithmic function
• f ( xy ) = f ( x ) f ( y ) , satisfied by all powers

 x + y  f (x) + f (y)
• f = ,  x, y  , Jensen functional equation
 2  2
• If f(x) is a polynomial function satisfies
 1  1
f ( x ) .f   = f ( x ) + f   ,  x  have solution f ( x ) = 1  xn
x x

Cauchy Equation and Equations of Cauchy Type

Let g : → be a contionius function satisfies the equation g ( x + y ) = g ( x ) + g ( y )

(Cauchy Equation) for all real x and y

Then the general solution to the Cauchy equation g : → must be of form g ( x ) = cx

(where c = f(1) a constant)

The following equations can be easily reduced to the Cauchy equation.

1. All continuous function f : → ( 0, +  ) satisfying f ( x + y ) = f ( x ) f ( y ) are of the form

f ( x ) = a . Namely the function g ( x ) = logf ( x ) is continuous and satisfies the Cauchy
x

equation.

2. All continuous functions f : ( 0, +  ) → satisfying f ( xy ) = f ( x ) + f ( y ) are of the form

f ( x ) = loga x . Now the function g ( x ) = f ( a x ) is continuous and satisfies the Cauchy
equation.

3. All continuous function f : ( 0, +  ) → ( 0, +  ) satisfying f ( xy ) = f ( x ) f ( y ) are f ( x ) = xt ,

where t = loga b and f ( a ) = b . Indeed the function g ( x ) = log f ( a x ) is continuous and
satisfies the Cauchy equation .
FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

f (x) f (y)
Example1 Find all solutions of f ( x + y ) = of functional equation .
f (x) + f (y)
1
Solution: Setting g ( x ) = , we get Cauchy’s equation g ( x + y ) = g ( x ) + g ( y ) with the solution
f (x)
1
g ( x ) = cx . Thus f ( x ) = is the general continuous solution.
cx
Example2. Find the continuous solutions f: → of the functional relation
f ( x + y ) = A f ( x ) + A f ( y ) ,  x,y  R , where A is a positive constant.
y x

Solution: We define the continuous function g ( x ) = A − x f ( x ) . Then the functional equation

takes the form g ( x + y ) = g ( x ) + g ( y ) , which has the solution g ( x ) = cx where c a constant.
Therefore f ( x ) = cx A x .
Example3. Find the continuous solution f: → of the functional equation
 x + y  f (x) + f (y)
f = ,  x, y  .
 2  2
Note:. Equation is known as Jensen functional equation. It can be equivalently written as
f ( x + y ) + f ( x − y ) = 2f ( x ) .
 x  f ( x ) + f (0) f ( x ) + b
Solution: For y = 0, equation gives f   = = , where b = f ( 0 ) . In this
2 2 2
 y + z  f ( y + z) + b
relation we substitute x = y + z; f  = .
 2  2
However, the left hand side can be rewritten from the defining relation and thus
f ( y) + f ( z) f ( y + z) − b
= ,
2 2
or f ( y + z ) = f ( y ) + f ( z ) − b .
We define the continuous function g ( x ) = f ( x ) − b . Then the functional equation taken the
form g ( x + y ) = g ( x ) + g ( y ) , which has the solution g ( x ) = cx where c is a constant.
Therefore f ( x ) = cx + b .

Cyclic Functions
A cyclic function is a function f ( x ) that has the property that:
( )
f f (...f ( x ) ...) = x
In other words ,repeated application returns to x, the “identity “ . The number of applications
required is called the order of f.
 1
A classic example of such a function is f ( x ) = because f ( f ( x ) ) = f   = x .
1
x x
Cyclic functions can significantly help in solving functional identities. Consider this problem.:

 1
Example4: Find f(x) such that 3f ( x ) − 4f   = x 2 .
x

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

1
Solution: In this functional equation, let x = y and let x = . This yield two new equations:
y
 1
3f ( y ) − 4f   = y 2
y
 1 1
3f   − 4f ( y ) = 2
 
y y
Now, if we multiply the first equation by 4, and add the two equations, we have:
4 3 4
−7f ( y ) = 3y 2 + 2 So, clearly, f ( y ) = − y 2 − 2
y 7 7y
 1 
Example5. Find the function f which satisfies the functional equation f ( x ) + f  =x,
 1− x 
for all x  0, 1 .

1 1 1 R
Solution: We repeatedly replace x ⎯⎯
R
→ and get x ⎯⎯
R
→ ⎯⎯
R
→ 1 − ⎯⎯ → x.
(1 − x ) 1− x x
We get the following equations:
 1   1   1 1  1
f ( x) + f   = x, f  1 − x  + f  1 − x  = 1 − x , f  1 − x  + f ( x )
 1 − x       
1
= 1− .
x
 1   1 1 1 1 
Eliminating f   and f  1 −  we get f ( x ) =  1 + x − −
x 1 − x 
.
 1− x   x 2
A check shows that this function indeed satisfies the functional equation.

Substitution
This is the most obvious of all approaches to a functional equation, but it may also be the most
common one. Also, it takes relatively little time to do and can be a huge help. The idea is that one
substitutes values for the variable and sees what comes out.

Example:6 What f(x) satisfy f ( xy ) = x f ( y ) ?

Solution Let us substitute one of the nicest numbers of all and let y = 1 . Then, f ( x ) = x f (1) , and if
we let f (1) = c some constant, then we see that f ( x ) = cx . It takes one line to prove that this is true
for any choice of c.
Example7. If for any non – negative real numbers x and y, function f ( x ) satisfies the properties

( )
that f ( x )  0, f (1)  0 , and f x + y2 = f ( x ) + 2 f ( y ) , compute the value of f 2 + 3 .
2
( )
(
Because f ( 2 + 3 ) = f  2 + 4 3 )  = f 2 + 2 f
( 3 ) ,
2
( )  we will need to compute f ( 2)
2

4
Solution:
 

( 3 ) .
2
and 2  f 4

( )
Setting x = y = 0, then f 0 + 02 = f ( 0 ) + 2 f ( 0 )  f ( 0 ) = 0
2

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

( )
Setting x = 1, y = 0, then f 1 + 02 = f (1) + 2  f ( 0 )   f (1) =
1
2

2
( )
Setting x = y = 1, then f 1 + 12 = f (1) + 2 f (1)  f ( 2 ) = 1
2

( )
Setting x = 2, y = 1, then f 2 + 12 = f ( 2 ) + 2 f (1)   f ( 3 ) =
3
2

Setting x = 0, y = 3, then f  0 + ( 3 )  = f (0) + 2 f ( 3 ) ( 3) = 3

2 2
f
 2

( ( 3 )) = f (0) + 2 ( f 3 ) ( 3 ) 3

2 2
Setting x = 0, y = 4 3, then f 0 + 4 4
 2 f 4
=
 2

(
 f 2 + 3 = 1+ ) 3
2

Isolation
Functional equations are just algebra, after all, so why not try to isolate a variable? Bring all
functions of x to one side of the equation and all functions of y to the other side, for instance, it turns
out that for some types of problems, this works beautifully.

Example:8 For what f ( x ) does y f ( x ) = x f ( y ) hold true?

f (x) f (y)
Solution Rearranging, =
x y
f (t)
Define g ( t ) = . One sees that, g ( x ) = g ( y ) for all x, y. But, this must mean that g ( x ) is constant,
t
f ( x)
so = c  f ( x ) = cx
x
Again, it is easy to show this holds for arbitrary c.

Transformation of Variables
This is one of the most powerful and common methods in solving functional equations. But, be
careful of ensuring a transformation of variables x → t is such that the domain is not effected.

Example9: Find f ( x ) if f ( x + 1) = x2 + 4x + 2
Solution Let t = x + 1, then x = t − 1. So, we rewrite the equation as
f ( t ) = ( t − 1) + 4 ( t − 1) + 2 = t 2 − 2t + 1 + 4t − 4 + 2 = t 2 + 2t − 1
2

Therefore,
f ( x ) = x2 + 2x − 1
It is not uncommon for this method to result in solving simultaneous equations, in which case one
can treat a function as a variable to solve.

Equation Coefficients
This comes up from time to time, usually when you are told the form of the function involved. For
instance, if we have a problem involving f ( x ) where we are told f ( x ) is a quadratic, we set
f ( x ) = ax2 + bx + c .

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

Note: Let f ( x ) be a quadratic function such that f ( x + 1) − f ( x ) = 2x + 1 and we have the initial
condition f ( 0) = 1 . Find f ( x ) .
Example10 Suppose f is a quadratic polynomial, i.e., a polynomial of degree 2 , with leading
( ) ( )
coefficient equal to 1 such that, f f ( x ) + x = f ( x ) x2 + 786x + 439 for all real numbers x . What
is the value of f ( 3 ) ?
Solution: Let f ( x ) = x + ax + b (Prove yourself that f is a monic polynomial)
2

( ) (
Then, f f ( x ) + x = f ( x ) + x ) + b (f (x) + x ) + c
2

= ( f ( x ) ) + 2xf ( x ) + x + bf ( x ) + bx + c
2 2

= ( f ( x ) ) + 2xf ( x ) + bf ( x ) + f ( x ) = f ( x ) ( f ( x ) + 2x + b + 1)
2

( ) (
Therefore, by comparing factors with f f ( x ) + x = f ( x ) x2 + 786x + 439 we get )
f ( x ) + 2x + b + 1 = x + 786x + 439  x + (b + 2 ) x + (b + c + 1) = x + 786x + 439
2 2 2

 b = 784, c = −346

Hence, f ( x ) = x + 784x − 346 and f ( 3 ) = 9 + 2352 − 346 = 2015

2

Examples
1
1. The function f has the property that for each real number x in its domain, is also in its
x
 1
domain and f ( x ) + f   = x
x
What is the largest set of real numbers that can be in the domain of f?
(A) x x  0 (B) x x  0
(C) x x  0 (D) x x  −1 and x  0 and x  1 (E) −1, 1

Solution Quickly verifying by plugging in values verifies that –1 and 1 are in the domain
 1
f ( x) + f   = x
x
 
1  1  1  1
Plugging in into the function: f   + f   =
x x  1 x
 
x
 1 1
f   + f (x) =
 
x x
 1 1
Since f ( x ) + f   cannot have two values: x = , x2 = 1 , x = 1
x x
Therefore, the largest set of real numbers that can be in the domain of f is −1, 1  E

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

2. Let * be the set of all real numbers, except 1. Find all functions f : * → that satisfy the
 x + 2009 
functional equation x + f ( x ) + 2f   = 2010
 x −1 
 x + 2009 
Solution.Let P ( x ) be the assertion x + f ( x ) + 2f   = 2010
 x −1 
 x + 2009 
(a) : P ( x )  x + f ( x ) + 2f   = 2010
 x −1 
 x + 2009  x + 2009  x + 2009 
(b) : P    +f  + 2f ( x ) = 2010
 x −1  x −1  x −1 
(a) – 2 (b) :
x 2 + 2007x − 6028
And so f ( x ) = and it is easy to check back that this indeed is a solution.
3 ( x − 1)

 1 
If the function f satisfies f ( x ) + f   = x for every real x  1, what is f ( −1) ?
3
3.
 1− x 
3 3

1 1 7
(A) –1 (B) (C) (D)
4 2 4

Solution.Let a = x 3 also let g ( a3 ) = f ( a ) , and note that g ( −1) = f ( −1) , so it suffices to find g ( −1) .
 1  a −1  a − 1  a − 1
We have g ( a ) + g   = a . Plugging a → yields g   + g (a) =   (*)
 1− a  a  a   a 
 1   a − 1  a − 1
Now subtracting this equation from the first one yields g   − g  =a−  .(**)
 1− a   a   a 
1 3
Letting a = −1 in ( * ) and a = in (**) we obtain the system g ( 2) + g ( −1) = 2, g ( 2 ) − g ( −1) =
2 2
subtracting the second one from the first and simplifying, it follows that
1
f ( −1) = g ( −1) = = (B )
4
 1 2  x   3x − 2  13x − 4
4. f : R → R and x  1; − ; 0;  . If 2f   − 3f  = . Then f ( x ) = ?
 3  x − 1  2x + 1  2x − 3x
2
2

 x   3x − 2  13x − 4  1 2 
Solution. Then: 2f   − 3f   = x  − , 0, , 1
 x − 1  2x + 1  2x − 3x  2 3 
2

x
Setting x → , this is equivalent to:
x −1
 x+2 
2f ( x ) − 3f  =−
( 9x + 4 )( x − 1) x  −2, 0, 1 
  
 3x − 1  x ( x + 2)  3
x+2
Setting then x → , this is equivalent to:
3x − 1
 x+2 
− 3f ( x ) =
( 2x − 3 )( 3x + 2 ) x  −2, 0, 1 
2f    
 3x − 1  x ( x + 2)  3
 x+2 
Cancelling the f   summand between the two last equalities. We get :
 3x − 1 

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

−2 ( 9x + 4 )( x − 1) + 3 ( 2x − 3 )( 3x + 2 ) 5  1
−5f ( x ) = = − x 
 −2, 0, 
x ( x + 2) x  3
1  1
And so f ( x ) = 
 −2, 0, 
x  3


5. Find the function f ( x) such that f ( 0 ) = 1,f   = 2, and for any x, y  ,
2
f ( x + y ) + f ( x − y ) = 2f ( x ) cos y

Solution: Setting x = 0, y = ;
f (  ) + f ( − ) = 2f ( 0 ) cos  = 2cos  ………(1)
 
Setting x = + , y = ; f (  +  ) + f (  ) = 0 ……….(2)
2 2
 
Setting x x = , y = + ;
2 2
 
f (  +  ) + f ( − ) = −2f   sin  = −4 sin  ……….(3)
2
Now (1), (2) and (3)
2f (  ) = 2cos  + 4sin   f (  ) = cos  + 2sin 
 f ( x ) = cos x + 2sin x

Find all functions f that satisfy f ( x + y ) = f ( x ) + f ( y ) for all x, y 

2 2 2
6. , assuming f is a
real – valued function

Solution. Let x = y = 0,
f (0) = f (0) + f (0 )
2 2 2

So f ( 0 ) = 0 and f ( 0 ) = 0
2

Now, let y = −x
f ( x − x ) = f ( x ) + f ( −x )
2 2 2

f ( 0 ) = f ( x ) + f ( −x )
2 2 2

0 = f ( x ) + f ( −x )
2 2

A square of a real number is nonnegative, and a sum of nonnegative numbers is zero

iff both numbers are 0
So f ( x ) = 0 for all x and f ( x ) = 0 is the only solution.
2

7. Suppose f is a continuous function on 0,  ) that grows no faster than some exponential,

and suppose that for every x  0, f ( x ) = 1 +  f ( x − y ) e − y dy . Find f.

x

The change of variables t = x − y gives f ( x ) = 1 + e− x  f ( t ) e t dt, so f is differentiable

x
Solution.
0

by the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and

f ' ( x ) = f ( x ) − e− x  f ( t ) e t dt = f ( x ) − ( f ( x ) − 1) = 1 . It follows that f ( x ) = x + 1 for all x.
x

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

f (x) p2
8. For the function equation f ( x − y ) = , if f ' ( 0) = p and f ' ( 5 ) = q, then prove f ' ( −5 ) =
f (y) q

Solution. Assuming of course f is differentiable

f ( 5 + h) − f ( 5 ) f (h ) − 1
See, you are are given f ' ( 5 ) = lim = q and f ' ( 0 ) = lim = p Check that
h→0 h h→0 h
1
f (0) = 1 and x = 0, y = a  f ( −a ) = a  Domain of f. Now,
f (a)
f ( −5 + h) − f ( −5 ) f (h − 5 ) − f ( −5 )
f ' ( −5 ) = lim = lim
h→0 h h→0 h
f (h) 1
−
f (5) f (5) 1 f (h ) − 1
= lim = lim
h →0 h f (5) h → 0 h
1
f ' ( −5 ) = .p
f (5)
f (5 + h) − f (5 ) f ( 5 − ( −h ) ) − f ( 5 )
Again from, q = f ' ( 5 ) = lim = lim
h →0 h h →0 h
f (5)
− f (5)
f ( −h ) f (h ) − 1 q p2
= lim = f ( 5 ) lim = p.f ( 5 ) , So, f ( 5 ) =  f ' ( −5 ) =
h →0 h h →0 h p q

y
9. Find all function f : → satisfy: x f ( y ) − y f ( x ) = f   , x  0
x
Solution. P ( x,0 ) : f (0 ) = 0
P ( x, x ) : f (1) = 0
P ( −1, 1) : f ( −1) = 0
f ( y)
P ( x,xy ) : f ( xy ) − yf ( x ) =
x
f (y) f (x)
Swap x, y, + y f (x) = + x f (y)
x y
f (x)  1
is constant when x  0,  1 The solution is f ( x ) = c  x −  , x  0 and f ( 0 ) = 0
x−
1  x
x

10. Let f ( x) be a real valued continuous function such that

f ( x − y ) = f ( x ) f ( y ) − f (a − x ) f (a + y ) x, y  where a is a given constant and f ( 0) = 1 .
Then
(A) f ( x ) is even (B) f ( x ) = f ( 4a + x )
(C) f ( a − x ) + f ( a + x ) = 0 (D) f ( a − x ) − f ( a + x ) = 0

Solution. Let P ( x,y ) : f ( x − y ) = f ( x ) f ( y ) − f (a − x ) f (a + y ) x, y 

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

P ( 0, 0) : f (0) = f (0 ) f (0 ) − f (a ) f (a )  1 = 1 − f 2 (a )  f (a ) = 0
P ( 0, x ) :f (0 − x ) = f (0 ) f ( x ) − f (a − 0 ) f (a + x )  f ( −x ) = f ( x )  f ( x ) is an even function.
P ( a, x ) : f (a − x ) = f (a ) f ( x ) − f (a − a ) f (a + x )
 f ( a − x ) = −f (a + x )  f ( 2a − x ) = −f ( x )
 f ( x ) = −f ( 2a + x )  f ( x ) = f ( 4a + x )
 f ( x ) is a periodic function with one of the period 4 a  ABC are correct

11. If f and g are two non constant continuous real valued functions on such that
f ( x + y ) = f ( x ) f ( y ) − g ( x ) g ( y ) and f ' ( 0 ) = 0,
g ( x + y ) = f ( x ) g ( y ) + g ( x ) f ( y ) and g' ( 0) = 1 ,

( )
2
Prove that f ( x ) + g ( x )
2
=1

Solution. Let x = y = 0
So f ( 0) = ( f ( 0) ) − ( g ( 0) ) , g ( 0) = 2f ( 0) g (0)  ( f (0) , g (0) ) = (0,0) , (1,0 )
2 2

Let h ( x ) = ( f ( x )) + ( g ( x ))
2 2

So h ( x + y ) = ( f ( x + y ) ) + ( g ( x + y ) )
2 2


= ( f ( x ) ) ( f ( y ) ) − 2f ( x ) f ( y ) g ( x ) g ( y ) + ( g ( x ) ) ( g ( y ) )
2 2 2
 2

+ ( f ( x ) ) ( g ( y ) ) + 2f ( x ) f ( y ) g ( x ) g ( y ) + ( g ( x ) ) ( f ( y ) ) 
2 2 2 2

= ( f ( x ) ) + ( g ( x ) )  + ( f ( y ) ) + ( g ( y ) )  = h( x)h ( y)
2 2 2 2

h' ( x ) = 2 ( f ' ( x ) f ( x ) + g' ( x ) g ( x ) )

So, h' ( 0 ) = 2 ( f ' ( 0 ) f ( 0 ) + g' ( 0 ) g ( 0 ) ) = 2g (0 ) = 0
Therefore h ( x + y ) = h ( x ) h ( y ) , h' (0 ) = 0
This solution of functional equation is
h(x) = e = eo = 1 Thus ( f ( x ) ) + ( g ( x ) ) = 1
h'( 0 ) x 2 2

12. If k is a positive number and f is a function such that, for every positive number x,
12
  9 + y2 
( )
x y
f x + 1 
2
= k; then, for every positive number y,  f    is equal to
  2
  y 
(A) k (B) 2k (C) k k (D) k 2

3
  9 + y2 
2
9+y 3 2
3 y
Solution.Notice that 2
=   + 1, so let x = in the first formula to give us f  2  =k
y y y   y 
2
12  3 
  9 + y  2 y
   9 + y2  y

Therefore,  f  2  = f    =k .
2

  y  y2 
  
 

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

Problem Set
Single Correct type

1. Let f ( x ) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + 5 . If f ( x )  e x − e2 for all x  0 and if the maximum value of

12a + 4b + c is l, then [l] is equal to:
[Note: [y] denotes greatest integer less than or equal to y]
(A) 4 (B) 5
(C) 6 (D) 7

2. f (0) = 0, f (1) = 1, and for every

n  1, f (3n − 1) = f (n) − 1, f (3n) = f (n) , f ( 3n + 1) = f (n) + 1 So, f ( 2011) is
(A) 7 (B) 5
(C) 3 (D) 1

 3x + 5   2x + 1 x
3. If the conditions f ( 2x + 1) + g (3 − x ) = x and f   + 2g   = holds for all real
 x +1   x +1  x +1
numbers x  1, what is f ( 2013 )
4021
(A) 3016 (B)
3
6037 4029
(C) (D)
7 5

x+y
4. Let f : ( 0, ) → (0, ) be a function such that 10. = f ( x ) .f ( y ) − f ( xy ) − 90 for every
xy
 1
x, y  ( 0,  ) . What is f   ?
 11 
(A) 1 (B) 11
(C) 21 (D) 31

 x + y  f (x) + f (y)
5. Let ‘f’ be derivable function x R such that f  = ; x, y  R . If f ' (0) = −1
 2  2
and f ( 0 ) = 1, then:
(A) 2f −1 ( x ) = f ( x ) (B) f −1 ( x ) = 2f ( x )
(C) f −1 ( x ) = −f ( x ) (D) f −1 ( x ) = f ( x )

6. How many f : → are there satisfying f ( x ) f ( y ) f ( z ) = 12f ( xyz ) − 16xyz for every real x,
y, z?
(A) 3 (B) 2
(C) 1 (D) 0

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

More than one Correct type

7. (
Let f ( x ) + f ( y ) = f x 1 − y 2 + y 1 − x 2 ) [f(x) is not identically zero.] Then
(A) f ( 4x 3 − 3x ) + 3f ( x ) = 0 (B) f ( 4x 3 − 3x ) = 3f ( x )

( )
(C) f 2x 1 − x 2 + 2f ( x ) = 0 ( )
(D) f 2x 1 − x 2 = 2f ( x )

8. If the function f satisfies the relation f ( x + y ) + f ( x − y ) = 2f ( x ) f ( y )  x,y  R and f ( 0 )  0,

then
(A) f ( x ) is an even function (B) f ( x ) is an odd function
(C) If f ( 2) = a, then f ( −2) = a (D) If f ( 4 ) = b, then f ( −4) = −b

9. Let ‘f’ be a differentiable function satisfying f ( x + y ) = f ( x ) + f ( y ) + ( e x − 1)( e y − 1)  x, y  R

and f ' ( 0) = 2 . Identify the correct statement(s):
f ( f ( x ))
(A) lim =4
x →0 f (x) − x
1
(B) lim ( f ( x ) + cos x ) ex −1 = e2
x →0

(C) Number of solutions of the equation f ( x ) = 0 is 2.

(D) Range of the function y = f ( x ) is ( −,  )

Comprehension Type

Comprehension I (10 to 11)

f ( x ) is a polynomial function f : R → R, such that f ( 2x ) = f ' ( x ) f " ( x )

10. The value of f(3) is

(A) 4 (B) 12 (C) 15 (D) none of these

11. Equation f ( x ) = x has

(A) three real and positive roots (B) three real and negative rots
(C) one real root (D) three real roots such that sum of roots is zero

Comprehension II (12 to 14)

 1− x 
If ( f ( x ) ) .f 
2
 = 64 x x  Df , then
 1+ x 
12. f ( x ) is equal to
1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3
 1+ x   1− x   1− x   1+ x 
(A) 4x 2/3   (B) x1/3   (C) x1/3   (D) x  
 1− x   1+ x   1+ x   1− x 

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

13. The domain of f ( x ) is

(A) 0,  ) (B) R − 1 (C) ( −,  ) (D) None of these

9
14. The value of f   is
7
2/3 1/3 2/3
7 9 9
(A) 8   (B) 4   (C) −8   (D) none of these
9 7 7

Comprehension III(15 to 17)

Consider f and g be two real valued differentiable functions on R (the set of all real
numbers). Let f ( x ) = x2 + g' (0 ) x + g" (3 ) and g ( y ) = f ( −2) y2 + yf " ( y ) + f ' ( y ) − 2

15. f (1) is equal to:

(A) 0 (B) 5
(C) 13 (D) 1

 f ( x ), x  0

16. Let h ( x ) =  , then h(x) is:
g ( x ) , x  0

(A) discontinuous at x = 0 (B) continuous but non – derivable at x = 0
(C) continuous and derivable at x = 0 (D) discontinuous but derivable at x = 0

17. If f (  ) g ()  4, where ,    −3, 3 then the number of non – positive ordered pairs ( ,  ) is
equal to:
(A) 0 (B) 1
(C) 2 (D) more than two

Comprehension IV (18 to 19)

Let f : R → R be a differentiable function such that f (1) = 1, f ( 2) = 20, f ( −4 ) = −4, f ' (0 ) = 0

and f ( x + y ) = f ( x ) + f ( y ) + 3xy ( x + y ) + bxy + c ( x + y ) + 4  x, y  R, where a, b, c are
constants.

18. The value of (b + c ) is equal to:

(A) 8 (B) 9
(C) 10 (D) 11

19. Number of solutions of the equation f ( x ) = x3 + 4ex is equal to:

(A) 0 (B) 1
(C) 2 (D) 3

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

Integer Type
20. If function f satisfies the relation f ( x )  f ' ( −x ) = f ( −x )  f ' ( x ) for all x, and f ( 0 ) = 3 , and if
f ( 3 ) = 3 , then the value of f ( −3) is ___________.

21. If f ( x ) is an odd function, f (1) = 3, and f ( x + 2) = f ( x ) + f ( 2) , then the value of f ( 3 ) is

_____

22. ( )
Suppose that f ( 0 ) = 0 and f ' ( 0 ) = 2, and let g ( x ) = f −x + f ( f ( x ) ) . The value of g' ( 0 ) is
equal to ______________.

 x 
Let g ( x ) = f  where f ( x ) is a differentiable positive function on ( 0,  )
 f ( x ) 
23. such that
 
f (1) = f ' (1) . Determine g' (1) .

24. Let f ( x ) be a differentiable function in  −1,  ) and f (0) = 1 such that

t 2 f ( x + 1) − ( x + 1) f ( t ) ln ( f ( x ) ) − ln 2
2

lim = 1 . Find the value of lim

t → x +1 f ( t ) − f ( x + 1) x →1 x −1

25. Let f ( x ) and g ( x ) be twice differentiable functions satisfying f ( x ) = xg ( x ) and g' ( x ) = f ( x ) ,

where g ( x )  0 x  R . If f ' ( x ) = g ( x ) . h ( x ) , then find the number of roots of the equation
h ( x ) = ex .

26. Let f be a function such that f ( x + y ) = f ( x ) + f ( y ) for all x and y and f ( x ) = ( 2x 2 + 3x ) g ( x )

for all x, where g(x) is continuous and g ( 0 ) = 3 . Then find f ' ( x ) .

27. If a differentiable function ' f ' satisfies the relation f ( x + y ) − f ( x − y ) = 4xy − 10y  x,y  R

and f (1) = 2 , then find the number of points of non – derivability of g ( x ) = f ( x ) −

1
.
4

28. y = f ( x ) , where f satisfies the relation f ( x + y ) = 2f ( x ) + xf ( y ) + y f ( x ) x, y  R and

f ' ( 0) = 0 . Then f ( 6 ) is equal to __________

29. An even polynomial function f ( x ) satisfies a relation

  1 
f ( 2x )  1 − f 
 
2
( )
  + f 16x y = f ( −2 ) − f ( 4xy ) x, y  R − 0 and f ( 4 ) = −255 , f ( 0) = 1 . Then
 2x

the value of
( f ( 2 ) + 1) is ________
2

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

30. Let f ( x ) = 2tan−1 x and g( x) be a differentiable function satisfying

 x + 2y  g ( x ) + 2g ( y )
g = x, y  R and g' ( 0) = 1 , g ( 0 ) = 2 . Find the number of integers
 3  3
satisfying f 2 ( g ( x ) ) − 5f ( g ( x ) ) + 4  0 where x  ( −10, 10 ) .

Subjective Type

31. Let a function f ( x ) satisfies f ( x ) + f ( 2x ) + f ( 2 − x ) + f (1 + x ) = x x  R . Then find the value

of f ( 0 ) .

32. ( ) ( )
f : R → R, f x 2 + x + 3 + 2 f x 2 − 3x + 5 = 6x 2 − 10x + 17x  R, then find the function f(x).

33. If f : R → R is an odd function such that

 1
(A) f (1 + x ) = 1 + f ( x ) (B) x2 f   = f ( x ) , x  0
x
Then find f(x)

34. Let g : R → R be a differentiable function satisfying g ( x ) = g ( y ) g ( x − y ) x,y  R and

g' ( 0 ) = a and g' ( 3 ) = b . Then find the value of g' ( −3) .

35. Let f : R → R be a differentiable function with f(0)=1 which satisfies

f ( x + y ) = f(x) f ' ( y ) + f '(x)f(y) for all x, y  R . Then find log e (f(4)) ).

1 1 
36. Let f : R + → R be a function which satisfies f ( x ) .f ( y ) = f ( xy ) + 2  + + 1 for x, y  0 .
x y 
Then find f(x).

37. Let f ( x) : → . For any x , it always hold that f ( x + 3)  f ( x ) + 3 and

f ( x + 2)  f ( x ) + 2 . Define g ( x ) = f ( x ) − x .
(i) Prove that g ( x ) is periodical.
(ii) If f ( 998) = 1002 , find the value of f ( 2000 ) .

38. Prove that there exists a unique function f from the set R+ of positive real number to R+
such that f ( f(x)) = 6x − f ( x ) and f ( x )  0 for all x>0

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.
 Mathematical Diamonds THEORY & PROBLEMS
FIITJEE
(Functional Equation)
Faculty: MAM Your score…….

39. Let N be the set of natural numbers. Suppose f : N → N is a function satisfying the
following conditions:
(a) f(mn) = f(m)f(n)
(b) f(m)  f(n) if m  n
(c) f(2) = 2
20
What is the sum of  f(k) ?
k =1

40. Let f be a one-to-one function from the set of natural numbers to itself such that
f(mn) = f(m)f(n) for all natural numbers m and n . What is the least possible value of
f(999) ?

ANSWERS

1.D 2.C 3.A 4.C 5.D 6.B 7.AD 8.AC 9.ABD 10. B. 11.D 12.A 13.B 14.C 15. C

16.A 17.B 18.A 19.B 20.3 21.9 22.6 23. 0 24. 1 25. 1 26. 9 27. 9 28.9 29. 7 30.8

a2
31. f ( 0 ) = −1/ 4 32. f ( x ) = 2x − 3 33. f ( x ) = x 34. g'(3) = 35. 2
b

2 2x + 1
36. f ( x ) = − ( ) 37. g ( x + 6) = g ( x ) ,f(2000)=2004 38. f(x)=2x 39. 210 40. 24
3 x

FIITJEE Ltd., N-W Centre, 31, 32, 33, Central Market, West Avenue Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 26, Ph: 011-45634000.