English

On the solution of the Collatz problem

General Mathematics 2026-01-13 v32

Abstract

In this paper, we first prove that given a nonnegative integer mm and an odd number tt not divisible by 33, there exists a unique Collatz's Sequence Sc(m,t)={n0(m,t),n1(m,t),n2(m,t),,nm(m,t),nm+1(m,t)} S_{c}(m,t)=\{n_{0}(m,t),n_{1}(m,t),n_{2}(m,t),\ldots,n_{m}(m,t),n_{m+1}(m,t)\} produced by a function ni+1(m,t)=(3ni(m,t)+1)/2n_{i+1}(m,t)=(3n_{i}(m,t)+1)/2 for i=0,1,2,,mi=0,1,2,\ldots,m and ended by an even number nm+1(m,t)n_{m+1}(m,t) where ni(m,t)=2m+1i×3it1n_{i}(m,t)=2^{m+1-i}\times3^{i}t-1 for i=0,1,2,,m+1i=0,1,2,\ldots,m+1, by which all odd numbers can be expressed. Then we discuss the Collatz problem in two ways and prove that each Collatz's Sequence always returns to 1, i.e., the Collatz problem is solved.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1110.3465,
  title  = {On the solution of the Collatz problem},
  author = {Shan-Guang Tan},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1110.3465},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

32 pages

R2 v1 2026-06-21T19:20:53.805Z