Exercise 16Calculus › Single-variable calculus › Continuity › Functional equationsL1Added 4 Nov 2026
f(x)f(y) − f(xy) = x + y
#substitution#special values#verification
Statement
Find all functions such that for all real ,
Hint
Try : the term becomes a constant.
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Solution
Substitution . , i.e.
If the left side is for all , which is absurd (take ). So and
Determining the constant. Setting in this formula gives . Hence .
Answer. is the only solution.
Lesson. Always: (1) try , , , ; (2) when an equation is solved by a formula, plug the formula back to check it is a solution.