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Definition of ln
The exponential function f (x) = ex is the function on R defined by the power series
∞
X xn
f (x) = , x ∈ R.
n!
n=0
Now, we are ready to classify all continuous functions f : R → R>0 2 such that f (x + y) =
f (x)f (y).
Theorem 1.1. Let f : R → R be a nonzero continuous map such that
f (x + y) = f (x)f (y).
Then there is a constant c such that f (x) = ecx for all x ∈ R.
Proof. Let us prove f (0) > 0. We know f (0) = f (0 + 0) = f (0)f (0) = (f (0))2 ≥ 0. If
f (0) = 0, then f (x) = f (x + 0) = f (x)f (0) = 0 for all x ∈ R. Since f is nonzero, f (0) 6= 0.
This implies f (0) = (f (0))2 > 0. The equation f (0) = (f (0))2 also implies that f (0) = 1 by
f (0) 6= 0. In fact, for all x ∈ R,
x x 2
f (x) = f 2 · = f > 0.
2 2
Use induction, we can prove f (n) = (f (1))n for n ≥ 1. Since 1 + (−1) = 0, we know
1 = f (0) = f (1 + (−1)) = f (1)f (−1).
2In group theory, we call such a map a continuous group homomorphism.
3
This implies f (1) and f (−1) are both nonzero and inverse to each other. For a nonnegative
integer m, we choose n = −m. Then n + m = 0 and thus
1 = f (0) = f (n + m) = f (n)f (m).
This implies that
1 1
f (m) = = = (f (1))−n = (f (1))m .
f (n) (f (1))n
We find that the equation f (n) = (f (1))n holds for all integer n. Assume that n ≥ 0. For
all n ≥ 1 and all m ∈ Z,
m m n
(f (1))m = f (m) = f n · = f .
n n
Taking the n-th root of both side of the equation, we obtain
m m
f = (f (1)) n , m ∈ Z, n ≥ 1.
n
This shows that the equation f (r) = (f (1))r holds for any rational number r ∈ Q. Since
every real number can be approximated by a sequence of rational numbers, for each x,
choose {xn } with xn ∈ Q so that limn→∞ xn = x. By continuity of f,
f (x) = lim f (xn ) = lim (f (1))xn = (f (1))limn→∞ xn = (f (1))x .
n→∞ n→∞
Choose c = ln f (1), we obtain
x
f (x) = (f (1))x = eln f (1) = ex ln f (1) = ecx , x > 0.