If f(x)=(ax+b)/(cx+d), (a)(b)(c)(d) ≠ 0 and f(f(x)) = x for all x in the domain of f, what is the value of a+d?
I don't really understand this hoping if someone can help clarify this to me and how to do it so I know how to do the next problem!
Since f(x) = (ax + b)/(cx + d), the equation f(f(x)) = x becomes
(a*(ax + b)/(cx + d) + b)/(c*(ax + b)/(cx + d) + d) = x.
Cross-multiplying and simplifying, we end up with
a^2*x + ab - acx^2 - ax + bd - b - cdx^2 + cx^2 - d^2 x + dx = 0.
This factors as (a + d - 1)(-cx^2 + ax - dx + b) = 0.
We can't have -cx^2 + ax - dx + b constantly 0, so a + d - 1 = 0. Therefore, a + d = 1.
