Analyzing the Functional Equation f(x)
The functional equation f(x+y)=f(x)f(y) is a classic cornerstone of functional analysis. Whenever a function converts addition inside the argument into multiplication outside, it points directly to an exponential form.
Because exponents satisfy the property ax+y=ax⋅ay, the general solution is f(x)=ax. Given the condition f(1)=7, we substitute x=1 to find a1=7, which yields a=7.
Thus, our function is defined as:
f(x)=7x
The Mystery of the Constant g(x)
Now, we address the second riddle: g(x+y)=g(xy). This equation appears unusual, but we can resolve it through strategic substitution.
If we set y=1, the equation becomes g(x+1)=g(x⋅1), which simplifies to g(x+1)=g(x). This implies that the function does not change its value as we increment x, identifying it as a constant function.
Since we are given
g(1)=1, it follows that for all natural numbers
x:
g(x)=1
The Summation Journey
We now combine these pieces into the given summation:
x=1∑ng(x)f(x)=19607
Substituting our findings
f(x)=7x and
g(x)=1, the expression simplifies to:
x=1∑n7x=19607
Expanding this, we obtain 71+72+73+⋯+7n=19607. This is a Geometric Progression (G.P.) where the first term a=7 and the common ratio r=7.
The sum of
n terms of a G.P. is given by the formula:
Sn=r−1a(rn−1)
Plugging in our values, we get:
7−17(7n−1)=19607
This simplifies to:
67(7n−1)=19607
The Final Calculation
To isolate
7n, we multiply both sides by
6 and divide by
7:
7n−1=719607×6
Dividing 19607 by 7 gives 2801. Then, calculating 2801×6 results in 16806.
Adding
1 to both sides, we arrive at:
7n=16807
We evaluate the powers of 7: 71=7, 72=49, 73=343, 74=2401, and 75=16807. Therefore, the final answer is:
n=5