English

$3n + 3^k$ Problem

General Mathematics 2026-02-06 v1

Abstract

The Collatz problem is generalized into 3n+3k3n + 3^k problem. It is shown that as long as the Collatz function iterates converge to the cycle passing through the number 1, the 3n+3k3n + 3^k sequence converges to the cycle passing through the number 3k3^k for arbitrary positive integers nn and kk. The proof shows that the sequence of 3n+3k3n + 3^k function iterates for a number 3kn3^k n is exactly the sequence of the Collatz function iterates for nn multiplied by 3k3^k.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2602.05732,
  title  = {$3n + 3^k$ Problem},
  author = {David Barina and W. C. Maat},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2602.05732},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

see MOD-68204; published in http://dx.doi.org/10.12921/cmst.2025.0000007