On a functional equation characterizing linear similarities (Q2420602): Difference between revisions

Let $(X, \|\cdot\|)$ be a real normed space. The norm derivatives $\rho^\prime_\pm: X\times X \to \mathbb{R}$ are defined by \[ \rho^\prime_\pm(x, y)=\|x\|\cdot \lim_{t\to 0^\pm}\frac{\|x+ty\|-\|x\|}{t}. \] \textit{C. Alsina} et al. [Norm derivatives and characterizations of inner product spaces. Hackensack, NJ: World Scientific (2010; Zbl 1196.46001)] posed the following question: ``Solve the functional equation \[ f\left(y-\frac{\rho^\prime_+(x,y)}{\|x\|^2}x\right)=f(y)-\frac{\rho^\prime_+(f(x),f(y))}{\|f(x)\|^2}f(x)\quad (x,y \in X) \] where $f:X\to Y$ is an injective function between normed spaces and $f(x)\neq 0$ whenever $x\neq 0$''. In this paper, the author gives a partial solution of the above question by showing that such a function $f$ should be a scalar multiple of a linear isometry. He shows that it is not necessary to assume that $f$ is injective.