Iterative calculation values in the Collatz conjecture eventually reach 1 as if walking across tightropes

I attempt to verify the Collatz conjecture. Through careful examination, I find that the evolution of the iterated values before reaching 1 can be characterized by four types of operations. Two dynamical models are constructed to demonstrate that the values necessarily decrease. However, these models do not explain the mechanism by which the value ultimately reaches 1. To address this limitation, I introduce a mathematical framework termed the Collatz rope model, in which each rope consists of an odd terminal value together with the even numbers generated by multiplying that value by powers of two. Within this framework, I derive a criterion that determines whether the final value becomes 1, and I show that all iterative sequences satisfy this criterion. Furthermore, it is established that the iterated values cannot diverge to infinity. Taken together, these results lead me to conclude that the Collatz conjecture holds for all natural numbers.

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Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-03-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19028463
Primary Topic
Benford’s Law and Fraud Detection
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Iterative calculation values in the Collatz conjecture eventually reach 1 as if walking across tightropes

Fumihidé Shiraishi
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Benford’s Law and Fraud Detection
article

Iterative calculation values in the Collatz conjecture eventually reach 1 as if walking across tightropes

Fumihidé Shiraishi
article en

Abstract

I attempt to verify the Collatz conjecture. Through careful examination, I find that the evolution of the iterated values before reaching 1 can be characterized by four types of operations. Two dynamical models are constructed to demonstrate that the values necessarily decrease. However, these models do not explain the mechanism by which the value ultimately reaches 1. To address this limitation, I introduce a mathematical framework termed the Collatz rope model, in which each rope consists of an odd terminal value together with the even numbers generated by multiplying that value by powers of two. Within this framework, I derive a criterion that determines whether the final value becomes 1, and I show that all iterative sequences satisfy this criterion. Furthermore, it is established that the iterated values cannot diverge to infinity. Taken together, these results lead me to conclude that the Collatz conjecture holds for all natural numbers.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Kyushu University (JP)
Openalex Percentile: Top 26%
Benford’s Law and Fraud Detection
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