Conditional Proof of the Uniqueness of the Trivial Cycle in the Collatz (Syracuse) Sequence

The Collatz (Syracuse) conjecture asserts that every positive integer under the iteration n → n/2 if even, n → 3n+1 if odd, eventually reaches the trivial cycle {1, 4, 2}. Despite extensive computations and various heuristic and probabilistic results, no deterministic proof is known. We introduce a novel conjecture for the Collatz sequence that imposes a dynamical constraint via a normalized sequence $(U_n)$ and does not appear to be trivially equivalent to the classical Collatz conjecture. Assuming this conjecture, we prove the uniqueness of the trivial cycle and derive structural limitations on potential divergent trajectories. Extensive numerical tests for integers up to $10^8$ support the conjecture, although it remains unproven. This framework formalizes a conditional approach to study the dynamics of the Collatz sequence, providing a new perspective on growth constraints beyond classical probabilistic or heuristic analyses.

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Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-03-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18470584
Primary Topic
Benford’s Law and Fraud Detection
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Conditional Proof of the Uniqueness of the Trivial Cycle in the Collatz (Syracuse) Sequence

Malick Sada Sall
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Benford’s Law and Fraud Detection
article

Conditional Proof of the Uniqueness of the Trivial Cycle in the Collatz (Syracuse) Sequence

Malick Sada Sall
article en

Abstract

The Collatz (Syracuse) conjecture asserts that every positive integer under the iteration n → n/2 if even, n → 3n+1 if odd, eventually reaches the trivial cycle {1, 4, 2}. Despite extensive computations and various heuristic and probabilistic results, no deterministic proof is known. We introduce a novel conjecture for the Collatz sequence that imposes a dynamical constraint via a normalized sequence $(U_n)$ and does not appear to be trivially equivalent to the classical Collatz conjecture. Assuming this conjecture, we prove the uniqueness of the trivial cycle and derive structural limitations on potential divergent trajectories. Extensive numerical tests for integers up to $10^8$ support the conjecture, although it remains unproven. This framework formalizes a conditional approach to study the dynamics of the Collatz sequence, providing a new perspective on growth constraints beyond classical probabilistic or heuristic analyses.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Reduced inequalities
Openalex Percentile: Top 71%
Benford’s Law and Fraud Detection
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