# Are Exponential and Trigonometric Functions the Only Non-Trivial Solutions to $F'(x)=F(x+a)$?

Are exponential & trigonometric functions the only non-trivial solutions to $F'(x)=F(x+a)$?

$F(x)=0$ would be the trivial solution. Then, for $a=0$ (or $a=2\pi i$), we have $F(x)=e^x$, and for $a=\dfrac\pi2$ there are $F(x)=\sin x$ and $F(x)=\cos x$. But the three are connected by Euler's formula $e^{ix}=\cos x$ $+i\sin x$. Indeed, on a more general note, letting $F(x)=e^{\lambda x}$, we have $\lambda=\dfrac{W(-a)}{-a}$ where W is the Lambert W function. My question would be if these are the only ones, due to the special properties of the number e and the exponential function, or if there aren't by any chance more, which do not belong in the same family or category as these, i.e., which are not exponential or trigonometric in nature ? Thank you.

## migrated from mathoverflow.netMay 31 '14 at 6:43

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• That seems like an unrealistic expectation. Delay differential equations have an entire interval of definition as input. So you could easily ensure that's not an exponential or trig function. – Ryan Budney May 29 '14 at 0:01
• For example, if $a<0$ is real, look at the solutions with $F(x)=0$ on $[0,-a)$. That's not trig or exponential, unless its the zero function. – Ryan Budney May 29 '14 at 1:07
• Possibly the question becomes more interesting (or tractable) if $F$ is assumed analytic? If $F$ is merely $C^\infty$, then taking for example $a = 1$ and any $C^\infty$ function $F$ such that $F^{(n)}(0) = 0 = F^{(n)}(1)$ for all $n \geq 0$, the extension of $F$ to any interval $[n-1, n]$, for $n \in \mathbb{Z}$, can be defined recursively by appealing to the functional equation. – user43208 May 29 '14 at 1:45
• Questions on this kind of equation are a recurrent theme on this site. It is an example of a linear retarded differential equation (up to a change of sign). There is a survey "A shifted view of fundamental physics" by Atiyah and Moore, available on arXiv 1009 2176. – couperin May 29 '14 at 3:22
• From a more purely mathematical perspective, I was also able to find this. – Lucian May 29 '14 at 4:14

• I guess it's a good thing that I nagged my father into teaching me the Cyrillic alphabet when I was a kid. :-) I found the Gelfond reference on page $379-380$. – Lucian May 29 '14 at 12:00
• Also in RAND, on page $45$. – Lucian May 29 '14 at 12:11