Differentiable solutions of an iterative functional equation (Q5931964)

A non-constructive method is used to study possible solutions of a functional equation whose dependent variables are several iterates of a single variable function \(g(x)\). The equation considered has the form \[ H(x,g^i(x))=F(x),\quad H,F\text{ are given, } i=1,2,\dots,n. \] It is shown that subject to some very stringent conditions on \(H\), \(F\) and \(g\), a solution \(g(x)\) exists, is unique and ``stable''. Stability is understood in the sense of a smooth dependence of \(g(x)\) on a smooth change of \(F(x)\), \(H\) remaining fixed. An example with a quadratic \(H\), \(i=1,2\), and an \(F\) with a logarithmic singularity is presented to show that the imposed conditions are not `self-contradictory', i.e. not mutually inconsistent. No information is given on the form of \(g(x)\).