Mean-value type functional equations (Q1180544)

Let \(G\) be an abelian group and \(n\) a positive integer. For \(i\in\{1,\ldots,n\}\) define the partial translation operator in the \(i\)-th variable on \(G^n\) by the formula \[ \tau_i^y f(x_1,\ldots,x_n) = f(x_1,\ldots,x_{i-1}, x_i+y, x_{i+1},\ldots,x_n)\] whenever \(f\) is a complex-valued mapping on \(G^n\) and \(x_1,\ldots,x_n\) are in \(G\). The paper is devoted to the study of two mean-value type functional equations: The octahedron equation \[ \left[\sum_{i=1}^n (\tau_i^t + \tau_i^{-t})\right] \,f = 2nf, \tag{\(O_n\)}\] and the cube equation \[ \left[\prod_{i=1}^n (\tau_i^t + \tau_i^{-t})\right]\, f = 2^nf. \tag{\(C_n\)} \] It is proved (among others) that: 1. The function \(f\colon G^n\to\mathbb{C}\) is a solution of \((O_n)\) iff it is a solution of \((C_n)\). [This has been conjectured by \textit{D. Ž. Djoković}, \textit{H. Haruki} and \textit{L. Etigson}; cf. \textit{L. Etigson}, Aequationes Math. 10, 50--56 (1974; Zbl 0279.39005)]. 2. A locally integrable function \(f\colon \mathbb{R}^n\to\mathbb{C}\) is a solution of \((O_n)\) or of \((C_n)\) iff it is almost everywhere equal to a linear combination of the partial derivatives of \(Q_n\) defined by the formula \[ Q_n(x_1,\ldots,x_n) = (\prod_{1\le i<n} x_i) (\prod_{1\le j<k\le n} (x_ j^2 - x_ k^2) )\] whenever \((x_1,\ldots,x_n)\) is in \(\mathbb{R}^n\). [It has been conjectured by \textit{H. Haruki} [Aequationes Math. 3, 156--159 (1969; Zbl 0179.21203)] that all continuous solutions of \((O_n)\) and of \((C_n)\) are linear combinations of the partial derivatives of \(Q_n\).]