A generalization of the Banach contraction principle (Q1856822)

The authors prove the following nontrivial generalization of the Banach Contraction Principle. Let \(T\) be a continuous self-map of a complete metric space \((X,d)\), and let \(0<M<1\). Let \(J\) be a positive integer. Assume that \(\min\{d(T^kx,T^ky): 1\leq k \leq J\} \leq Md(x,y)\) for all \(x,y\in X\). Then \(T\) has a unique fixed point. (The continuity of \(T\) is not assumed.) In the proof the Ramsey theorem is used. The cases \(J=2\) and \(J=3\) were established in [\textit{J. R. Jachymski, B. Schroder} and \textit{J. D. Stein} jun., J. Combin. Theory Ser. 87, 273-286 (1999; Zbl 0983.54047)]. The general case, under the additional assumption that \(T\) is uniformly continuous, was proved in [\textit{J. R. Jachymski} and \textit{J. D. Stein} jun., J. Austral. Math. Soc. Ser. A 66, 224-243 (1999; Zbl 0931.47042)].