Pointwise monotonic functions and generalized subadditivity (Q1952414)

A real function \(f\) defined in an open interval \(I\) is called increasing at a point \(x_0\in I\) if \[ \limsup_{x\to x_0-} f(x) \leq f(x_0 ) \leq \liminf_{x\to x_0+} f(x) \] and \(f\) is called pointwise increasing in \(I\) if it is increasing at every point of \(I\). Analogously, we define a pointwise decreasing function (see [\textit{J. Matkowski} and \textit{T. Swiatkowski}, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 154, No. 2, 493--506 (1991; Zbl 0725.39007)]). The author proves that if \(f\) is one-to-one increasing and \[ \liminf _{t\to \sup I} f(t) = \sup f(I) \qquad \text{or} \qquad \limsup_{t\to \inf I} f(t) = \inf f(I) \] then \(f\) is strictly increasing and continuous. It is well-known [\textit{M. Kuczma}, An introduction to the theory of functional equations and inequalities. Cauchy's equation and Jensen's inequality. Warszawa-Kraków-Katowice: Państwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe (1985; Zbl 0555.39004)] that every subadditive function \(f : (0, \infty) \to \mathbb{R}\) satisfying \(f(0+) =0\) is pointwise decreasing. The author shows that this feature is characteristic for a much larger class of functions satisfying the inequality \[ f(\alpha x+y) \leq a f(x) + f(y), \qquad x,y\in J, \] for some positive real numbers \(\alpha\) and \(a\), where \(J\) stands for \(\mathbb{R}\) or \((0,\infty)\) or \((-\infty,0)\). If \(f: J \to \mathbb{R}\) is subadditive and \(a=\alpha\), \(b=\beta \in \mathbb{N}\), then \[ f(\alpha x +\beta y) \leq a f(x) + b f(y), \qquad x,y\in J, \] which is called generalized subadditive. Using a result of \textit{D. Raikov} [Rec. Math. Moscou, n. Ser. 5, 425--440 (1939; Zbl 0022.21003)], the author obtains some refinements of the classical results on subadditive functions. He applies the results on the pointwise monotonicity in the proof of the continuity of one-to-one generalized subadditive functions to obtain a considerable generalization of the result on subadditive functions proved by him and \textit{T. Swiatkowski} [loc. cit. and Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 119, No. 1, 187--197 (1993; Zbl 0785.39004)]. The author deals with periodicity and monotonicity of generalized subadditive functions \(f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}\) and injective generalized subadditive functions defined in \(\mathbb{R}\). Some remarks and examples are given.