For all real numbers x except 0 and 1, the function f satisfies the functional equation f(… — GMAT

For all real numbers

x

except

0

and

1

, the function

f

satisfies the functional equation

f(x) + 2f\left(\frac{1}{1-x}\right) = 9x + 3

What is the value of

f(2)

Answer: 7

The value of

f(2)

7

Evaluating the functional equation iteratively at the points of the cycle

x = 2

x = -1

, and

x = \frac{1}{2}

produces a system of three linear equations in terms of

f(2)

f(-1)

, and

f\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)

. Solving this linear system gives

f(2) = 7

Evaluate the functional equation at

x = 2

f(2) + 2f\left(\frac{1}{1-2}\right) = 9(2) + 3 \implies f(2) + 2f(-1) = 21

This establishes a relationship between

f(2)

and

f(-1)

Evaluate the functional equation at

x = -1

f(-1) + 2f\left(\frac{1}{1-(-1)}\right) = 9(-1) + 3 \implies f(-1) + 2f\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) = -6

This links

f(-1)

f\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)

to build a closed system of transformations under the mapping

g(x) = \frac{1}{1-x}

Evaluate the functional equation at

x = \frac{1}{2}

f\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) + 2f\left(\frac{1}{1-1/2}\right) = 9\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) + 3 \implies f\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) + 2f(2) = \frac{15}{2}

This completes the cycle since

g\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) = 2

, creating a system of three linear equations with three unknown values.

Solve the system of three linear equations for

f(2)

Let

a = f(2)

b = f(-1)

, and

c = f\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)

. From equation (3),

c = \frac{15}{2} - 2a

. Substituting

c

into equation (2) gives

b + 2\left(\frac{15}{2} - 2a\right) = -6 \implies b = 4a - 21

. Substituting

b

into equation (1) gives

a + 2(4a - 21) = 21 \implies 9a - 42 = 21 \implies 9a = 63 \implies a = 7

Algebraic substitution yields the exact value of

f(2)

Cyclic Functional Equations and System Substitution

Estimated Time:2m 30s

Question