An initial value problem for a functional equation

Abstract

We consider the functional equationf(A(x,y))=B(f(x),f(y)), whereA andB are averages. It is known that such a functional equation has exactly one continuous solution satisfying a given two-point condition. By analogy with the theory of differential equations, we may regard the functional equation, together with a two-point condition, as a boundary value problem. (Then each boundary value problem has a unique continuous solution.) If we replace the two-point condition with the specification of a value and derivative at just one point, we obtain an initial value problem.