Arithmetic – Simulating a floor() Function with Elementary Arithmetic

arithmetic

I'm using a "programming language" that only allows basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Is it possible to emulate a floor function (i.e. drop the decimals a number) by using only those operators? I'm only interested in positive numbers

Edit: Here's the documentation describing what's possible (which is only elementary arithmetic)

Best Answer

Let $$f_1(x)=x+c_1$$ $$f_2(x)=x\cdot c_2$$ where $c_1,c_2$ are some constants, and $f_1$ represents addition and subtraction, and $f_2$ represents multiplication and division. Functions $f_1$ and $f_2$ have inverse function, but $\lfloor{x}\rfloor$ does not have an inverse function. So, if we assume it is possible to find $\lfloor{x}\rfloor$ from $x$ using $f_1$ and $f_2$, then it is possible to find $x$ from $\lfloor{x}\rfloor$. Contradiction.