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I have a problem which is related to algebra and polynomials. I would be very grateful if any of you could give a hand to solve it. Here is the problem: Consider the function $f_0(x) =x(1-x)$ and for $n \geq 0$ define $f_{n+1}(x) =\frac 12 (f_n(x^2) + f_n((1-x)^2)).$ Now, looking more closely at $f_0(x)$, we see that it is increasing on $[0,\frac 12]$ and decreasing on $[\frac 12, 1]$ . The problem is to prove that such a property holds for all the $f_n$'s. More precisely, prove that each $f_n (x)$ is increasing on $x \in [0,\frac 12]$ and decreasing on $x \in [\frac 12, 1]$ . I would be very thankful if any of you could help.

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    One is going to need a stronger induction hypothesis than simply that $f_n$ is increasing then decreasing, because it doesn't hold for $f_0$ being a triangular function $1 - \lvert 2x - 1 \rvert$.2011-09-01

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