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Exercise 1979Calculus › Single-variable calculus › Continuity › Functional equationsOlympiadAdded 5 Nov 2026

Additive functions with f(x²) = f(x)²

#additive function#monotonicity#Cauchy equation

Statement

Find all f:R→Rf:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R} such that f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y) and f(x2)=f(x)2f(x^2)=f(x)^2 for all real x,yx,y.

Hint

Show that ff is non-negative on [0,∞)[0,\infty), hence monotone, and then that an additive monotone function is linear.

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Solution

Positivity. For every t≥0t\ge0, t=x2t=x^2 for some xx, so f(t)=f(x)2≥0f(t)=f(x)^2\ge0.

Monotonicity. If x≤yx\le y then f(y)=f(x)+f(y−x)≥f(x)f(y)=f(x)+f(y-x)\ge f(x).

Linearity. As in Cauchy's equation over Q\mathbb{Q}, f(q)=cqf(q)=cq for every rational qq, with c=f(1)≥0c=f(1)\ge0. Take x∈Rx\in\mathbb{R} and rationals p<x<qp<x<q. By monotonicity, cp≤f(x)≤cqcp\le f(x)\le cq. Letting p,q→xp,q\to x gives f(x)=cxf(x)=cx.

The constant. The condition f(1)=f(1)2f(1)=f(1)^2 gives c=c2c=c^2, so c∈{0,1}c\in\{0,1\}.

Answer. f≡0f\equiv0 and f(x)=xf(x)=x, which clearly satisfy both conditions.

Lesson. Wild additive functions are killed by any condition that gives a sign or boundedness: look for a hidden square.