The polynomial-like iterative equation for PM functions (Q1703797)

The authors investigate the iterative functional equation \[ f^n(x)+\alpha_{n-1}f^{n-1}(x)+\cdots+\alpha_1f(x)=F(x), \quad x \in I ,\tag{1} \] where \(I\) is a real interval and the given function \(F\) is continuous and strictly piecewise monotone. An interior point \(x_0\in I\) is a \textit{monotone point} of \(F\) if \(F\) is strictly monotone in a neighborhood of \(x_0\); otherwise, \(x_0\) is said to be a \textit{fort} of \(F\). The finite set of forts of \(F\) is denoted by \(S(F)=\{c_1,c_2,\dots,c_k\}\), with \(c_1<c_2<\cdots<c_k\). A \textit{characteristic interval} of \(F\) is a subinterval \(I_j=[c_j,c_{j+1}]\), such that \(F(I)=F(I_j)\). The main result of the paper is the following: let \(F\) having a characteristic interval \(I_j\) and let \(f_0:I_j \to I_j\) be a continuous solution of the equation (1), restricted to \(I_j\). Then the function \(f:I \to I\) defined by \[ f(x)=\begin{cases} 0(x), \quad x\in I_j,\\ J\circ F(x), \;x\in I\setminus I_j,\\ \end{cases} \] where \(J(x)=f_0\circ F\mid^{-1}_{I_j}(x)\), \(x \in F(I_j)\), is a continuous solution on \(I\) of the functional equation (1). Several applications of the extension method are given.