Collatz conjecture

[kroner]

Welcome back, Richard.

While you were away, I advertised Serenity to fill a bit of the hole you left.
It's German, and it's a math forum. But that's all you can expect from an amateur. I'm glad I can leave that to the pro again.

Thomas, you have to put more math problems up!
I was so happy when there was math on the forum...

[Thomas Pickert]

Start with a random natural number greater than 0.

If it's even, divide by 2. If it's odd, multiply with 3 and add 1.

Do you always end with 4, 2, 1, 4, 2, 1, ...?

[Appleide]

no.

[Cherize]

3 x 3 = 9 + 1 = 10

[Cherize]

Start with a random natural number greater than 0.

If it's even, divide by 2. If it's odd, multiply with 3 and add 1.

Do you always end with 4, 2, 1, 4, 2, 1, ...?

But it will always be even.

[Thomas Pickert]

I forgot to add, that you reiterate the procedure endlessly, of course.

@Cherize: I don't understand. 6 : 2 = 3 is odd, for example.

[kroner]

the short answer is yes (i think). but i still have to come up with a proof... hmmm.

[Thomas Pickert]

I have split this off Richard's "I'm back" post now. I have also added the name of the problem described, to make it easier to understand for those who really try to find a proof, what kind of problem they're trying to tackle.

[The Industriallist]

Translation: one that hasn't been proven yet by anyone, correct?

[Thomas Pickert]

Yes.