Let Z be the set of integers. Determine all functions f : Z → Z such that, for all integers a and b,
f(2a) + 2f(b) = f(f(a + b)
Let a be zero such that
f(0)+2f(b)=f(f(b))……(i)
Let b be x and assume that it is true for all integers
f(0)+2f(x)=f(f(x))……(ii)
Then,let a be one such that
f(2)+2f(b)=f(f(b+1))……(iii)
Since x is true for all integers, replace all x in equation (ii) with (b+1) to get
f(0)+2f(b+1)=f(f(b+1))……(iv)
Equate equation (iii) and (iv)
f(0)+2f(b+1)=f(2)+2f(b)
This is equal to
2f(b+1)-2f(b)=f(2)-f(0)
f(b+1)-f(b)=(f(2)-f(0))/2
LHS is difference of consecutive terms, RHS is a constant
Therefore f(x) is an arithmetic progression.
f(x)=mx+k
Using equation (i)
m(2a)+k+2(mb+k)=f(m(a+b)+k)
Which further simplifies to
2m(a+b)+3k=m²(a+b)+mk+k
Comparing coefficients of (a+b)
2m=m²
And also
3k=mk+k
It is easy to see that there are only two solutions
m=0 or 2
So if m=0,k=0 and if m=2,k can be any integer
Therefore,the answers are
f(x)=0 or f(x)=2x+n