Preprint Article Version 5 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Resolution of the 3n+1 Problem Using Inequality Relation Between Indices of 2 and 3

Version 1 : Received: 6 April 2023 / Approved: 6 April 2023 / Online: 6 April 2023 (11:21:24 CEST)
Version 2 : Received: 7 April 2023 / Approved: 10 April 2023 / Online: 10 April 2023 (08:40:06 CEST)
Version 3 : Received: 10 April 2023 / Approved: 11 April 2023 / Online: 11 April 2023 (10:05:24 CEST)
Version 4 : Received: 20 April 2023 / Approved: 21 April 2023 / Online: 21 April 2023 (09:25:33 CEST)
Version 5 : Received: 4 May 2023 / Approved: 5 May 2023 / Online: 5 May 2023 (10:18:23 CEST)
Version 6 : Received: 6 May 2023 / Approved: 9 May 2023 / Online: 9 May 2023 (04:15:37 CEST)

How to cite: Goyal, G. Resolution of the 3n+1 Problem Using Inequality Relation Between Indices of 2 and 3. Preprints 2023, 2023040093. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202304.0093.v5 Goyal, G. Resolution of the 3n+1 Problem Using Inequality Relation Between Indices of 2 and 3. Preprints 2023, 2023040093. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202304.0093.v5

Abstract

Collatz conjecture states that an integer $n$ reduces to $1$ when certain simple operations are applied to it. Mathematically, the Collatz function is written as $f^k(n) = \frac{3^kn + C}{2^{z}}$, where $z, k, C \geq 1$. Suppose the integer $n$ violates Collatz conjecture by reappearing as $2^in$, where $i \geq 1$, then the equation modifies to $n \left(1 - \frac{3^k}{2^{z}2^i}\right) = \frac{C}{2^{z}2^i}$. The article takes an elementary approach to this problem by calculating the bounds on the values of $\frac{C}{2^{z}2^i}$ and $1 - \frac{3^k}{2^{z}2^i}$. Correspondingly, an upper limit on the integer $n$ is placed that can re-appear in the sequence. The integer $n$ lies in the $(-\infty, 5)$ range, and the limit on the number of odd steps is $k < 3$. Finally, it is shown that no integer chain exists that does not lead to 1.

Keywords

Collatz conjecture; 3n+1; inequality relations

Subject

Computer Science and Mathematics, Algebra and Number Theory

Comments (2)

Comment 1
Received: 5 May 2023
Commenter: Gaurav Goyal
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author
Comment: Everything changed except title
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Comment 2
Received: 5 May 2023
Commenter:
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: k < 3 is valid for positive integers only
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