On a problem connected with convexity of a derivative (Q5953388)

Let \(I\) be a real interval and for \(a> 0\) put \[ F(x,y)= f(x)+ af\Biggl({x+ y\over 2}\Biggr)+ f(y)\qquad (x,y\in I). \] The author shows that each of the conditions (1)--(5) is equivalent to the convexity of \(f\) on \(I\): (1) \(x\to F(x,x)\) is convex on \(I\); (2) \(F({x+y\over 2}, {x+ y\over 2})\leq F(x,y)\) on \(I\times I\); (3) \(F(x,y)\leq {1\over 2}[F(x, x)+ F(y,y)]\) on \(I\times I\); (4) \(F\) is Schur convex on \(I\times I\); (5) \(F\) is convex on \(I\times I\). This answer an open problem by Milan Merkle.