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1983 IMO Problems/Problem 1

Problem

Find all functions $f$ defined on the set of positive reals which take positive real values and satisfy the conditions: (i) $f(xf(y))=yf(x)$ for all $x,y$; (ii) $f(x)\to0$ as $x\to \infty$.

Solution 1

Let $x=y=1$ and we have $f(f(1))=f(1)$. Now, let $x=1,y=f(1)$ and we have $f(f(f(1)))=f(1)f(1)\Rightarrow f(1)=[f(1)]^2$ since $f(1)>0$ we have $f(1)=1$.

Plug in $y=x$ and we have $f(xf(x))=xf(x)$. If $a=1$ is the only solution to $f(a)=a$ then we have $xf(x)=1\Rightarrow f(x)=\frac{1}{x}$. We prove that this is the only function by showing that there does not exist any other $a$:

Suppose there did exist such an $a\ne1$. Then, letting $y=a$ in the functional equation yields $f(xa)=af(x)$. Then, letting $x=\frac{1}{a}$ yields $f(\frac{1}{a})=\frac{1}{a}$. Notice that since $a\ne1$, one of $a,\frac{1}{a}$ is greater than $1$. Let $b$ equal the one that is greater than $1$. Then, we find similarly (since $f(b)=b$) that $f(xb)=bf(x)$. Putting $x=b$ into the equation, yields $f(b^2)=b^2$. Repeating this process we find that $f(b^{2^k})=b^{2^k}$ for all natural $k$. But, since $b>1$, as $k\to \infty$, we have that $b^{2^k}\to\infty$ which contradicts the fact that $f(x)\to0$ as $x\to \infty$.

Solution 2

Let $x=1$ so \[f(f(y))=yf(1).\] If $f(a)=f(b),$ then $af(1)=f(f(a))=f(f(b))=bf(1)\implies a=b$ because $f(1)$ goes to the real positive integers, not $0.$ Hence, $f$ is injective. Let $x=y$ so \[f(xf(x))=xf(x)\] so $xf(x)$ is a fixed point of $f.$ Then, let $y=1$ so $f(xf(1))=f(x)\implies f(1)=1$ as $x$ can't be $0$ so $1$ is a fixed point of $f.$ We claim $1$ is the only fixed point of $f.$ Suppose for the sake of contradiction that $a,b$ be fixed points of $f$ so $f(a)=a$ and $f(b)=b.$ Then, setting $x=a,y=b$ in (i) gives \[f(ab)=f(af(b))=bf(a)=ab\] so $ab$ is also a fixed point of $f.$ Also, let $x=\frac{1}{a},y=a$ so \[1=f(1)=f(\frac{1}{a}\cdot a)=f(\frac{1}{a}\cdot f(a))=af(\frac{1}{a})\implies f(\frac{1}{a})=\frac{1}{a}\] so $\frac{1}{a}$ is a fixed point of $f.$ If $f(a)=a$ with $a>1,$ then $f(a^n)$ is a fixed point of $f$, contradicting (ii). If $f(a)=a$ with $0<a<1,$ then $f(\frac{1}{a^n})=\frac{1}{a^n}$ so $\frac{1}{a^n}$ is a fixed point, contradicting (ii). Hence, the only fixed point is $1$ so $xf(x)=1$ so $f(x)=\boxed{\frac{1}{x}}$ and we can easily check that this solution works.

Video Solution

https://youtu.be/Fu0jBKKa4Lc [Video Solution by little fermat]

1983 IMO (Problems) • Resources
Preceded by
First question 		1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 Followed by
Problem 2
All IMO Problems and Solutions
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