+184 For some constants $a$ and $b$ let
\[f(x) = \left\{
\begin{array}{cl}
9 - 2x & \text{if } x \le 3, \\
ax + b & \text{if } x > 3.
\end{array}
\right.\]
The function $f$ has the property that $f(f(x)) = x$ for all $x$. What is $a+b$?
+506 if \(f(f(x)) = x\) for all x, then f(x) is an involution. The properties of an involution include the fact that it is reflexive across the line y=x, which means that y=ax+b must be a reflected version of y=9-2x through the line y=x. To reflect that line, just find the inverse of that line by changing y for x and solving for y:
\(x=9-2y\\2y=9-x\\y=4.5-0.5x\)
a = -0.5, b = 4.5, so a+b \(\boxed{4}\)
