Construct a complex function with these properties

1. Mar 8, 2014

chipotleaway

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Construct a function $f:C \rightarrow C$ such that $f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y) and f(xy)=f(x)f(y)$ (aside from the identity function) Hint: $i^2=-1$ what are the possible values of $f(i)$.

3. The attempt at a solution
All I've been able to do so far is come up with some (hopefully correct) examples e.g.
$f(i^2)=f(-1)=f=((1,0)*(-1,0))=f(-1)f(1)$

$f(a+bi)=f((a,0)+(0,b))=f(a)+f(bi)$

$f(ai)=f((a,0)*(0,1))=f(a,0)f(0,1)=f(a)f(i)$ (a is real)

But I'm not sure how to construct an explicit function out of this (I'm assuming f(x)=0 would be a 'trivial' construction?)

2. Mar 8, 2014

Simon Bridge

You only need to find a function - so try a few simple non-trivial functions and see how they behave.

i.e. f(x)=x ... what happens?
hint: make x and y general complex numbers so x=a+ib, y=c+id.

you basically need to play around until you notice a pattern, then exploit the pattern.
enjoy.

3. Mar 8, 2014

pasmith

I think the point is that $f(i)^2 = f(i^2) = f(-1)$.

The condition $f(xy) = f(x)f(y)$ requires that
$$f(x) = f(1x) = f(1)f(x)$$
so that
$$f(x)(1 - f(1)) = 0$$
for all $x$. From this one can find $f(0)$, and then $f(-1) = f(0) - f(1)$.

Last edited: Mar 8, 2014
4. Mar 9, 2014

BruceW

another interesting question, is what are all possible functions that satisfy these requirements. But as Simon says, for this problem you just need to find one. I'd also agree with Simon, to just play around for a while longer. For example, you already have f(-1) = f(-1) * f(1) And you can find more of these simple relations, you should eventually be able to guess what the function is.

5. Mar 10, 2014

chipotleaway

Another relation I got is f(x)=nf(1)f(x) for any natural number n, because f(x)=f(1*x)=f(1)f(x)=f(1*1)f(x)=f(1)f(1)f(x) and you can just keep doing this. Is this correct? Seems like a pretty strong condition

6. Mar 10, 2014

Dick

You mean f(x)=f(1)^n*f(x) (not nf(1)f(x)). That's not too hard to satisfy if f(1)=1.

7. Mar 10, 2014

pasmith

That would give you $f(x) = f(1)^n f(x)$.

Did it not occur to you to stop after $f(x) = f(1x) = f(1)f(x)$ and see what that requires of $f(1)$? See my earlier post.

You also have
$$f(0) = f(0\times 1) = f(0)f(1)$$
and
$$f(0) = f(0 \times 2) = 2f(0)f(1)$$
What does
$$f(0)f(1) = 2f(0)f(1)$$
require of $f(0)f(1)$?

8. Mar 11, 2014

chipotleaway

Haha, brain malfunction there.

Anyway, I got it now (quite certain it didn't take anyone else half as long to do it, don't think they needed this much help either!)

f(1)=1, f(a)=a for any real a because f(a)=f(1+...+1)=f(1)+..+f(1)=1+..+1=a (a times).

For the imaginary part, f(i^2)=f(i)^2=f(-1)=-1 (by the above). So f(i) is i or minus i.

f(a+bi)=f(a)+f(b)f(i)=a+bi if i is positive, but that's the identity function so it must be f(a+bi)=a-bi.

Thanks a lot everyone

9. Mar 11, 2014

BruceW

very nice! although really, f(a)=a for any rational a (and this solution is not a unique solution, for 'a' real). But I think that all the other solutions are highly pathological anyway.