A functional equation of Ih-Ching Hsu (Q1263019)

The most general problem posed by \textit{Ih-Ching Hsu} [Am. Math. Mon. 93, 371-373 (1986; Zbl 0605.39005)] concerns the functional equation \(F(x,y)+F(\phi (x),\psi (y))=F(x,\psi (y))+F(\phi (x),y),\) where \(\phi\) and \(\psi\) are given functions, and a general solution F is sought. A solution of this problem was announced by \textit{R. Rice} [Aequationes Math. 32, 115-116 (1987)] (cf. also pp. 966-967 in ``Monthly Unsolved Problems, 1969-1987'' by \textit{R. K. Guy} [Am. Math. Mon. 94, 961-970 (1987)]. In the paper under review a simpler formula is established on a basis, as that of R. Rice, of the notion of an orbit and some choice functions. As the author notes, a direct solution (without any choice function) of the third Hsu's problem follows from this formula. Moreover, it is proved that if \(\phi\) and \(\psi\) are ``indecomposable'', then each continuous solution F (defined on the product \(X\times Y\) of two topological spaces and taking values in a topological abelian group G) has the form \(F(x,y)=f(x)+g(y)\) with arbitrary continuous functions f and g. (The function \(\phi\) : \(X\to X\) is indecomposable iff each continuous \(\alpha\) : \(X\to G\) such that \(\alpha \circ \phi =\alpha\) is a constant function.) Some conditions ensuring indecomposability are also given.