0
$\begingroup$

Let $ f: \mathbb{R} \mapsto \mathbb{R} $ be a continuous function. Prove that there is a $ c $ such that $ f(c)=c^3 $.

But the functions $ f(x)=(x-1)^3 $ or $ f(x)=(x-a)^3, a>0 $ etc, don't satisfy the statement.

Am I right ?

  • 0
    yes you are, maybe you forgot a hypothesis on $f$.2017-02-15
  • 0
    Another counterexample : $x\mapsto x^3+a$ where $a\neq0$.2017-02-15
  • 1
    An equivalent statement: the graph of every continous function $f:\Bbb R\to\Bbb R$ intersects the curve $y=x^3$. This is obvoiusly false.2017-02-15
  • 0
    @ajotatxe This is an excellent way to think about this problem. You might consider posting that as an answer.2017-02-15
  • 0
    @user3798897 Thank you, but I think that my comment does not answer OP's question. OP simply wants to know if his/her counterexamples are valid.2017-02-15

1 Answers 1

0

I will exam $f(x)=(x-1)^3$.

If there is a c such that $f(c)=c^3$, then $c^3=(c-1)^3$. So $c^3=c^3-c^2+c-1$ or $-c^2+c-1=0$. Since $\delta = 1^2-4*(-1)*(-1)<0$, this equation has no real roots.

It means that you are correct about the $f(x)=(x-1)^3$.

The others, you can exam by the same method.