Related papers: Paradoxical behavior in Collatz sequences
The 3x+ 1 problem concerns iteration of the map on the integers given by T(n) = (3n+1)/2 if n is odd; T(n) = n/2 if n is even. The 3x+1 Conjecture asserts that for every positive integer n > 1 the forward orbit of n under iteration by T…
This paper explores special conditions on the starting value of a Collatz sequence which imply that the Collatz conjecture is true. This is the result of the collaboration of a retired mathematics professor (Koelzer) and a retired physics…
Pairs of numerically computed trajectories of a chaotic system may coalesce because of finite arithmetic precision. We analyse an example of this phenomenon, showing that it occurs surprisingly frequently. We argue that our model belongs to…
Sequence transformations accomplish an acceleration of convergence or a summation in the case of divergence by detecting and utilizing regularities of the elements of the sequence to be transformed. For sufficiently large indices, certain…
In this paper, we present a new method for the analysis of piecewise dynamical systems that are similar to the Collatz conjecture in regard to certain properties of the commutator of their sub-functions. We use the fact that the commutator…
An alternative computational approach to the Collatz (3n+1) conjecture is presented that may be theoretically capable of confirming the conjecture.
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…
Define the Ducci function $D: \mathbb{Z}_m^n \to \mathbb{Z}_m^n$ so \[D(x_1,x_2, ...,x_n)=(x_1+x_2 \;\text{mod} \; m, x_2+x_3 \; \text{mod} \; m, ..., x_n+x_1 \; \text{mod} \; m).\] Call $\{D^{\alpha}(\mathbf{u})\}_{\alpha=0}^{\infty}$ the…
Permutations that avoid given patterns have been studied in great depth for their connections to other fields of mathematics, computer science, and biology. From a combinatorial perspective, permutation patterns have served as a unifying…
As an extension of Polya's classical result on random walks on the square grids ($\Z^d$), we consider a random walk where the steps, while still have unit length, point to different directions. We show that in dimensions at least 4, the…
In one of their seminal articles on allowable sequences, Goodman and Pollack gave combinatorial generalizations for three problems in discrete geometry, one of which being the Dirac conjecture. According to this conjecture, any set of $n$…
An order-$s$ Davenport-Schinzel sequence over an $n$-letter alphabet is one avoiding immediate repetitions and alternating subsequences with length $s+2$. The main problem is to determine the maximum length of such a sequence, as a function…
This paper presents an algorithmic method that, given a positive integer $j$, generates the $j$-th convergence stair containing all natural numbers from where the Collatz conjecture holds by exactly $j$ applications of the Collatz function.…
Stanley sequences starting from the set $\{0, n\}$ where $n$ is a positive integer have long been conjectured to be divided into two types: the "regular" type where the growth rate is $\Theta(n^{\log_2(3)})$, and the "irregular" type where…
Kronecker sequences $(k \alpha \mod 1)_{k=1}^{\infty}$ for some irrational $\alpha > 0$ have played an important role in many areas of mathematics. It is possible to associate to each finite segment $(k \alpha \mod 1)_{k=1}^{n}$ a…
We describe a new algorithm for verifying the Collatz conjecture for all n < 2^N for some fixed N. The algorithm takes less than twice as long to verify convergence for all n < 2^{N+1} as it does to verify convergence for all n < 2^N. We…
The scope of the present work is to explain why it is true that all N have a distinct position in The Collatz Tree (The Collatz Graph)
The Rademacher random walk associated with a deterministic sequence $(a_n)_{n \geq 1}$ is the walk which starts at zero and, at step $i$, independently steps either up or down by $a_i$ with equal probability. We continue the study begun by…
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 ``comma sequence'' starts with 1 and is defined by the property that if k and k' are consecutive terms, the two-digit number formed from the last digit of k and the first digit of k' is equal to the difference k'-k. If there is more…