# Proving inequality related to certain property of function

1. Mar 16, 2017

### songoku

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Consider a real valued function f which satisfies the equation f (x+y) = f (x) . f (y) for all real numbers x and y. Prove:

f ((x + y) / 2) ≤ 1/2 (f(x) + f(y))

2. Relevant equations
Not sure

3. The attempt at a solution
Please give me a hint to start solving this question. I have found that f (x) = (f (x/2))2 but I don't know what to do next.

Thanks

2. Mar 16, 2017

### Buffu

Use AM-GM, ${A+B\over 2} \ge \sqrt{AB}$ where $A,B >0$.

3. Mar 17, 2017

### songoku

Thank you

4. Mar 17, 2017

### issacnewton

For any $a,b\in \mathbb{R}$, we have the following $(a-b)^2 \geqslant 0$. Then let $a = f(\frac{x}{2})$ and $b = f(\frac{y}{2})$, and see if you reach conclusion.

5. Mar 17, 2017

### issacnewton

Songoku, when you are asked to prove something, sometimes, its wise to assume the result which you have been asked to prove. And you have both, the hypothesis and the conclusion. And with it, you try to see where does this lead to. Lot of times, this leads to some other familiar result. And then you can work backwards from that familiar result. This is one of those situations. Here if you assume the result, then using the hypothesis, you reach the result $(a-b)^2 \geqslant 0$, if you let $a = f(\frac{x}{2})$ and $b = f(\frac{y}{2})$. But now $(a-b)^2 \geqslant 0$ is a familiar result, which is true for all $(a-b) \in \mathbb{R}$ . Now you can work backwards.

6. Mar 17, 2017

### songoku

Thank you very much for the advice