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With $f(x)$ being a real valued function we can write it as a sum of an odd function $m(x)$ and an even function $n(x)$: $f(x)=m(x)+n(x)$

Write an equation for $f(-x)$ in terms of $m(x)$ and $n(x)$:

My attempt using the properties - even function if: $f(x)=f(-x)$ and odd function if: $-f(x)=f(-x)$

$f(x)=m(x)+n(x) \implies f(-x)=m(-x)+n(-x) \implies f(-x)= -m(x)+n(x) \implies f(-x)=n(x)-m(x)$

I think that is correct but then I need to find equations for both $m(x)$ and $n(x)$ in terms of $f(x)$ and $f(-x)$ so a suggestion on how to tackle that would be great.

response
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xiA
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2 Answers2

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$$f(x)=\frac{1}{2}\left(f(x)+f(-x)\right)+\frac{1}{2}\left(f(x)-f(-x)\right)$$

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Add and subtract $f(x) = m(x) + n(x)$ and $f(-x)=n(x)-m(x)$.

response
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  • sorry but would this be as simple as m(x)= f(x)-n(x) and n(x)=f(-x)+m(x) ? – xiA May 30 '13 at 14:30
  • No, add the two equations. $m(x)$ will cancel and you can simplify to express $n(x)$ in terms of $f(x)$ and $f(-x)$. Then, subtract to do the same for $m(x)$. – response May 30 '13 at 14:32
  • Brilliant thanks, It had been a while since I'd used the old elimination method. – xiA May 30 '13 at 14:42