Means of Cauchy's difference type (Q7014467)

This paper studies \(k\)-variable means \(C_{f,k}\) generated by a real single-variable function \(f\), i.e.,\N\[\NC_{f,k}(x_1, \ldots, x_k) = f\left(\sum_{j=1}^{k} x_j\right) - \sum_{j=1}^{k} f(x_j).\N\]\NThe author shows that \(C_{f,k}\) is an increasing mean on \((0, \infty)\) if and only if there is an additive function \(\alpha\) such that \(f-\alpha\) is a convex and \(f\) is a solution of the reflexivity functional equation\N\[\Nf(kx) - kf(x) = x.\N\]\NThe paper constructs a large class of such means and provides the form of a unique homogeneous mean of the form \(C_{f,k}\). Additionally, it presents corollaries for Cauchy differences of exponential, logarithmic, and multiplicative types. The existence of a unique continuous and differentiable function \(f\) such that \(M(x, y) = f(x + y) - f(x)f(y)\) is a bivariable premean in \(\mathbb{R}\) is shown, and its analyticity is proved. The explicit form of \(f\) however remains an open question. The paper concludes with remarks on open questions and potential future research directions.\N\NIn the introduction, the author examines conditions under which the \(k\)-variable Cauchy difference of additive type \(C_{f,k}\), is a \(k\)-variable mean in \((0, \infty)\).\N\NSection 2 recalls the notions of mean, premean, and their properties such as reflexivity, symmetry, strictness, monotonicity, homogeneity, and translativity. The paper remarks that in the case \(I = \mathbb{R}\), there is no function \(f\colon \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}\) for which \(C_{f,k}\) would be a translative or increasing mean.\N\NSection 3 proves that the \(k\)-variable Cauchy difference \(C_{f,k}\) is an increasing mean in \((0, \infty)\) if and only if there is an additive function \(\alpha\) such that \(f-\alpha\) is convex and \(f\) is a solution of the reflexivity functional equation presented above. Using this, the author constructs a large family of functions \(f\) for which \(C_{f,k}\) is a \(k\)-variable mean in \((0, \infty)\).\N\NSection 4 discusses homogeneous Cauchy difference means and provides the main result that \(C_{f,k}\) is a homogeneous mean in \((0, \infty)\) if and only if \(f(x) = \gamma_k(x) + bx\), where \(\gamma_k(x) = \frac{x \log x}{k \log k}\) and \(b \in \mathbb{R}\).\N\NSection 5 considers the remaining three Cauchy differences: exponential, logarithmic, and multiplicative types, and poses open questions regarding the explicit form of \(f\) and conditions for these differences to lead to means.