Problem

Source: Iran 3rd round 2014 - final exam problem 6

Tags: algebra, polynomial, function, floor function, algebra unsolved



$P$ is a monic polynomial of odd degree greater than one such that there exists a function $f : \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{N}$ such that for each $x \in \mathbb{R}$ ,\[f(P(x))=P(f(x))\](a) Prove that there are a finite number of natural numbers in range of $f$. (b) Prove that if $f$ is not constant then the equation $P(x)-x=0$ has at least two real solutions. (c) For each natural $n>1$ prove that there exists a function $f : \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{N}$ and a monic polynomial of odd degree greater than one $P$ such that for each $x \in \mathbb{R}$ ,\[f(P(x))=P(f(x))\]and range of $f$ contains exactly $n$ different numbers. Time allowed for this problem was 105 minutes.