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Chapter 2 discusses methods for solving functional equations, highlighting the lack of a clear methodology compared to differential equations. It proposes creating a list of main functional equations and their solutions, as well as identifying sets of equations solvable by similar methods. The chapter outlines several key methods, including variable replacement, transformation of variables or functions, and inductive methods.

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Blessing Tshuma
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56 views1 page

first-page-pdf

Chapter 2 discusses methods for solving functional equations, highlighting the lack of a clear methodology compared to differential equations. It proposes creating a list of main functional equations and their solutions, as well as identifying sets of equations solvable by similar methods. The chapter outlines several key methods, including variable replacement, transformation of variables or functions, and inductive methods.

Uploaded by

Blessing Tshuma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER 2

Some methods for solving functional equations

2.1 Introduction
In Section 1.3 we showed some basic examples of functional equations and
their solutions. However, it was not explained how these solutions were ob-
tained. Unlike the field of differential equations, where a clear methodology to
solve them exists, in functional equations such a methodology does not exist.
In fact, in many cases "ad hoc" methods axe required. This represents a great
shortcoming and perhaps one of the reasons explaining why engineers and ap-
plied scientists have not incorporated functional equations into their daily work.
To facilitate the use of functional equations we can:

9Elaborate a list including the main functional equations and their corre-
sponding solutions.

9Identify the sets of equations which can be solved using the same methods.

This chapter is devoted to a complete description of some methods for solving


functional equations.
The main methods for solving functional equations to be analyzed are:

1. Replacement of variables by given values

2. Transforming one or several variables

3. Transforming one or several functions

4. Using a more general equation

5. Treating some variables as constants

6. Inductive methods

19

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