On the Convergence of the 3x + 1 Sequences

The Collatz conjecture posits that iterating the function f(n) = n/2 for even n and f(n) = 3n + 1 for odd n eventually reaches 1 for any positive integer n. In this paper, we analyze the accelerated odd-to-odd Collatz operator T(n) = (3n+1)/2^k. We derive explicit algebraic representations for m-step iterations, formulate a probabilistic measure on the exponent sequence (k_j), and employ linear forms in logarithms to bound non-trivial cycles. Consequently, we establish the long-term density convergence of the sequences toward the fundamental cycle (4, 2, 1).

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Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-09-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23039458
Primary Topic
Benford’s Law and Fraud Detection
Type
article
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On the Convergence of the 3x + 1 Sequences

Minh Phuong Huynh Nguyen
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Benford’s Law and Fraud Detection
article

On the Convergence of the 3x + 1 Sequences

Minh Phuong Huynh Nguyen
article en

Abstract

The Collatz conjecture posits that iterating the function f(n) = n/2 for even n and f(n) = 3n + 1 for odd n eventually reaches 1 for any positive integer n. In this paper, we analyze the accelerated odd-to-odd Collatz operator T(n) = (3n+1)/2^k. We derive explicit algebraic representations for m-step iterations, formulate a probabilistic measure on the exponent sequence (k_j), and employ linear forms in logarithms to bound non-trivial cycles. Consequently, we establish the long-term density convergence of the sequences toward the fundamental cycle (4, 2, 1).

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Benford’s Law and Fraud Detection
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On the Convergence of the 3x + 1 Sequences — Minh Phuong Huynh Nguyen · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS