Related papers: A Refinement of the $3x+1$ Conjecture

In this paper; we prove that all sequences can be broken up in cycles. Each cycle follows the same pattern: 1) Upward trajectory. Odd and even numbers alternate until the cycle reaches an upper bound 2) Downward trajectory. Two or more…

Exploring the Collatz Conjecture and changing the expression from 3n + 1 to 5n + 1, we found patterns in different sets of numbers. Some numbers reduce to one (as stated in the Collatz Conjecture), some might escape to infinity, and some…

Set out here are some fundamental theories that may be regarded as newly discovered metamathematics of the odd integers in relation to the Collatz conjecture (also called the 3x+1 problem). Originally motivated by the requirement to invent…

Consider the recursive relation generating a new positive integer $n_{\ell +1}$ from the positive integer $n_{\ell }$ according to the following simple rules: if the integer $n_{\ell }$ is odd, $n_{\ell +1}=3n_{\ell }+1$; if the integer…

The \textit{Collatz's conjecture} is an unsolved problem in mathematics. It is named after Lothar Collatz in 1973. The conjecture also known as Syrucuse conjecture or problem. Take any positive integer $ n $. If $ n $ is even then divide it…

In this paper we introduce and discuss the sequence of \emph{real numbers} defined as $u_0 \in \mathbb R$ and $u_{n+1} = \Delta(u_n)$ where \begin{equation*} \Delta(x) = \begin{cases} \frac{x}{2} &\text{if }…

We prove a conjecture that classifies exceptional numbers. This conjecture arises in two different ways, from cryptography and from coding theory. An odd integer $t\geq 3$ is said to be exceptional if $f(x)=x^t$ is APN (Almost Perfect…

An alternative computational approach to the Collatz (3n+1) conjecture is presented that may be theoretically capable of confirming the conjecture.

In the paper, some special linear combinations of the terms of rational cycles of generalized Collatz sequences are studied. It is proved that if the coefficients of the linear combinations satisfy some conditions then these linear…

The celebrated $3x+1$ problem is reformulated via the use of an analytic expression of the trailing zeros sequence resulting in a single branch formula $f(x)+1$ with a unique fixed point. The resultant formula $f(x)$ is also found to…

A number of the form $x(x+1)/2$ where $x$ is an integer is called a triangular number. Suppose, $N(a_1,\cdots,a_k;n)$ and $T(a_1,\cdots,a_k;n)$ denote the number of ways $n$ can be expressed as $\sum_{i=1}^k a_ix_i^2$ and $\sum_{i=1}^k…

The $3x+k$ function $T_{k}(n)$ sends $n$ to $(3n+k)/2$ resp. $n/2,$ according as $n$ is odd, resp. even, where $k \equiv \pm 1~(\bmod \, 6)$. The map $T_k(\cdot)$ sends integers to integers, and for $m \ge 1$ let $n \rightarrow m$ mean that…

For any positive integer $n$, define an iterated function $$ f(n)=\left\{\begin{array}{ll} n/2, & \mbox{$n$ even,} \\ 3n+1, & \mbox{$n$ odd.} \end{array} \right. $$ Suppose $k$ (if it exists) is the lowest number such that $f^{k}(n)<n$, and…

We study whether sufficiently large integers can be written in the form cp+T_x, where p is either zero or a prime congruent to r mod d, and T_x=x(x+1)/2 is a triangular number. We also investigate whether there are infinitely many positive…

This paper gives a simple proof of the Wirsching-Goodwin representation of integers connected to 1 in the $3x+1$ problem (see \cite{Wirsching} and \cite{Goodwin}). This representation permits to compute all the ascending Collatz sequences…

We study difference inequality systems for the 3x+1 problem introduced by the first author in 1989. These systemes can be used to give lower bounds for the number of integers below x that contain 1 in their forward orbit under the 3x+1 map.…

The 3X+1 function T(n) is (3n+1)/2 if n is odd and n/2 if n is even. The total stopping time \sigma_\infty (n) for a positive integer n is the number of iterations of the 3x+1 function to reach 1 starting from n, and is \infty if 1 is never…

The Collatz problem is one of many names (the Collatz Problem, the Syracuse Problem, the Hailstone Problem, the 3x+1 problem). Most commonly, however, the problem goes by either the 3x+1 problem or the Collatz problem. In addition to having…

It is proved that the number of 9-regular partitions of n is divisible by 3 when n is congruent to 3 mod 4, and by 6 when n is congruent to 13 mod 16. An infinite family of congruences mod 3 holds in other progressions modulo powers of 4…

It is well known that the following Collatz Conjecture is one of the unsolved problems in mathematics. Collatz Conjecture: For any positive integer $n>1$, the following recursive algorithm will convergent to 1 by a finite number of steps.…