Multiplicative symmetry and related functional equations (Q1909655)

The purpose of this paper is the study of functional equations of the form \( f(x*f(y)) = F(x,y)\), where \(x\) and \(y\) belong to a group \((G,*)\) (or possibly a commutative monoïd); the function \(F\) may depend upon the unknown function \(f:G \to G\), the most usual form of which being \(F(x,y) = f(y*f(x))\). In this case, we have the multiplicative symmetry for \(f\), and this was thoroughly studied in an older paper by the reviewer [Aequationes Math. 15, 173-193 (1977; Zbl 0359.39003)]. Some questions were then raised by the reviewer, part of which are solved by the present paper. They concern equations such as \(f(x*f(y)) = f(x*y)\); \(f(x*f(y)) = f(x)*f(y)\) or \(f(x*f(y)) = f(f(x)*f(y))\). In fact, there are two distinct ways of working with multiplicative symmetry. One is to look for the general solution; the other to look for continuous solutions \((G\) is supposed to be a topological group). Astonishingly, when the general solution is found, the set of continuous solutions does not follow easily; and as usual the set of continuous solutions give no hint to the general solution. An interesting feature of the paper is thus to provide all continuous multiplicative symmetric functions over the complex field; i.e. to find all continuous \(f:\mathbb{C} \to \mathbb{C}\), such that \(f(x + f(y)) = f(y+f(x))\). The proof consists in a careful study of the image of \(f\). Then, the paper investigates the same multiplicative symmetry in the case of \(\mathbb{C}\), but for the multiplicative law, i.e. \[ f\bigl( xf(y) \bigr) = f \bigl(yf(x) \bigr).\tag{1} \] Because of a lack of attention given to the multiplicative subgroups of this group with a zero, some solutions escaped the survey quoted earlier: these solutions are now listed. Multiplicative symmetry was also treated in a chapter of the book by \textit{J. Aczel} and the reviewer [Functional equation in several variables with applications to mathematics, information theory and to the natural and social sciences. (1989; Zbl 0685.39006)], and more functional equations discussed, \(G\) being now a commutative field of characteristic zero. The present paper solves some questions which remained open. For example, it is proved that any solution, \(f:\mathbb{R} \to\mathbb{R}\), having the Darboux property and satisfying \[ f\bigl(xf(y) \bigr) + f\bigl(yf(x) \bigr) = 2f(x)f(y), \tag{2} \] is in fact a solution of (1). Far more general conditions are obtained in the paper concerning the equivalence of (1) and (2) and we are close to a possible characterization for an equivalence.