On solvability of f(p(x)) = q(f(x)) for given real functions p, q

Abstract

We investigate the solvability of functional equations f(p(x)) = q(f(x)) for given functions p and q which are partially or completely defined on the set of all real numbers. For these investigations, we use methods for constructions of homomorphisms of mono-unary algebras. We can present a simple characterisation of solvability of the above equation in the case that p, q are strictly increasing and continuous functions. It gives, on the one hand, a practical use for a class of functional equations. On the other hand, it is a contribution to questions on topological conjugacy of monotonous real functions.