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 such that and for all real .
Hint
Show that is non-negative on , hence monotone, and then that an additive monotone function is linear.
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Solution
Positivity. For every , for some , so .
Monotonicity. If then .
Linearity. As in Cauchy's equation over , for every rational , with . Take and rationals . By monotonicity, . Letting gives .
The constant. The condition gives , so .
Answer. and , 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.