General Dynamics and Generation Mapping for Collatz-Type Sequences

1. Introduction

The Collatz-type sequences [1,2,3,4] define the following set of rules:

• If $\mathcal{Z}$ is odd, multiply it by an odd integer, and add 1.
• If $\mathcal{Z}$ is even, it is divided by 2.

The associated conjecture for the Collatz-type sequence $3\mathcal{Z}+1$ states that every integer ultimately reduces to 1. To prove this conjecture, it must be shown not only that the sequence eventually cycles through 1, 4, 2, 1, but also that no integer diverges to infinitely larger values [5,6].

While a complete proof may be elusive, this article attempts to understand the workings of Collatz-type sequences. For this, odd integers are expressed as modified binary expressions $\left\{{\displaystyle \sum _{M>m}}{b}_M{2}^M\right\}+2^m-1,$ where $b_M\in \{0,1\}$. Ancestor and successor maps are constructed based on this form. The ancestor map provides insight into the odd integers that a repeating sequence can have. The successor map helps in exploring the possibilities of an auxiliary cycle.

The following list of definitions will be used throughout this article:

Definition 1 (Governor).

Given an odd integer $\mathcal{X}$ represented in the modified binary form $\left\{{\displaystyle \sum _{M>m}}{b}_M{2}^M\right\}+2^m-1,$ where $b_M\in \{0,1\}$ and m is the smallest index of 2, the term $2^m-1$ is called the Governor as it governs the sequence of odd and even steps. The index m is called the Governor index.

Definition 2 (Trivial Governor).

The Governor appearing in the Trivial cycle of a Collatz-type sequence and is denoted by $2^{\mathcal{T}}-1$ where $\mathcal{T}$ is called the Trivial index. For the Collatz-type $3\mathcal{Z}+1$, the Trivial Governor is $2^1-1$ while for the Collatz-type $5\mathcal{Z}+1$ it is $2^2-1$ and $2^1-1$.

Definition 3 (Governor evolution).

It is the changes that the Governor goes through as the Collatz-type sequences progresses.

Definition 4 (Trivial cycle).

A trivial cycle is a sequence of repeating integers in which the evolution of the Governor is uninfluenced by other terms.

Definition 5 (Auxiliary cycle).

The sequence of repeating integers obtained when other terms interact with the Governor and alter its evolution.

2. General Dynamics of the Collatz-Type Sequences

Lemma 1 (General).

When $m>\mathcal{T}$, the general dynamics of Collatz-type functions are such that each new odd integer in the sequence has a smaller Governor index, ultimately leading to the Governor $2^{\mathcal{T}}-1$.

Proof. 

Consider the evolution of the Governor for the Collatz-type $3\mathcal{Z}+1$ and $5\mathcal{Z}+1$ sequences shown in the Table 1.

Let $\mathcal{O}\left\{1\right\},\mathcal{O}\left\{2\right\},\dots$ denote the resulting integer at the end of the odd step while $\mathcal{E}\left\{1\right\},\mathcal{E}\left\{2\right\},\dots$ denote the resulting integer at the end of the even step.

Table 1 demonstrates that, once a Collatz-type sequence begins, the Governor of each new odd integer is smaller than that of the previous odd integer. The following corollaries are deduced:

Corollary 1 (General).

The Governor index is singular, that is, no other term has the same index as the Governor.

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Theorem 1 (General).

When $m=\mathcal{T}$, two scenarios are possible:

• Uninterrupted Governor evolution: The Governor enters the trivial cycle.
• Interrupted Governor evolution: The Governor may evolve into a higher-index Governor, or an auxiliary cycle may be obtained.

Proof. 

Table 2 illustrates the dynamics when the Governor transforms into the Trivial Governor. In this context, $2^P$ represents the next smallest index term in the expression of the odd integer.

The trivial cycle causes $2^P$ to evolve into terms with smaller indices until it interacts with the Trivial Governor. If $2^P$ evolves into a term with an index that matches that of the Trivial Governor, the Trivial Governor’s index is updated to a higher value. Therefore, the presence of Trivial Governors makes the Corollary 1 invalid.

In cases where there are multiple Trivial Governors, such as in the $5\mathcal{Z}+1$ sequence, $2^P$ may evolve into the smaller Trivial Governor. This evolution alters the sequence of Trivial Governors within the trivial cycle, leading to an auxiliary cycle.

These observations are summarized in the following corollaries:

Corollary 2 ($3\mathcal{Z}+1$)

The integer obtained at the $m^{th}$$\mathcal{O}$ step is followed by two even steps. If the Trivial Governor is uninterrupted, the Collatz sequence starts to shrink as the Trivial Governor enters the Trivial cycle.

Corollary 3 ($5\mathcal{Z}+1$)

If m is odd then the integer obtained at ${\mathcal{E}}^{\left(1\right)}\left\{{\displaystyle \frac{m+1}{2}}\right\}$ is odd and is followed by an odd step.

Corollary 4 ($5\mathcal{Z}+1$)

If m is even then the integer obtained at ${\mathcal{E}}^{\left(2\right)}\left\{{\displaystyle \frac{m}{2}}\right\}$ is even and additional even steps are followed until an odd integer is obtained.

Corollary 5 (General)

The Governor index is shared by another term only if the Governor is the Trivial Governor.

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Lemma 2 (General).

In the Collatz-type sequences where $m>\mathcal{T}$, the odd integer $\mathcal{X}=\left\{{\displaystyle \sum _{M>m}}{b}_M{2}^M\right\}+2^m-1,$ repeats if the odd integer $\left\{{\displaystyle \sum _{M>m}}{b}_M{2}^M\right\}+2^{m-1}+\cdots 2^{\mathcal{M}}+2^{\mathcal{M}}-1$ appears.

Proof. 

Let the integer $\mathcal{X}$ repeats. The repetition is possible only when the term $2^m-1$ reappears as the Governor of another odd integer.

Lemma 1 states that when $m>\mathcal{T}$, the Collatz function produces a sequence where the Governor index of each new odd integer is smaller than that of the previous odd integer. Corollary 1 further asserts that the Governor index is singular.

It implies that the odd integer $\mathcal{X}$ cannot reappear as ${\displaystyle \sum _{M>m}}{b}_M{2}^M+2^m-1$. Instead, for $\mathcal{X}$ to reappear while satisfying the constraints of Lemma 1 and Corollary 1, it must be structured as follows when it reappears:

$$\begin{array}{c}\hfill \mathcal{X}=\sum _{M>m}{b}_M{2}^M+2^{m-1}+\cdots +2^{\mathcal{M}}+2^{\mathcal{M}}-1\end{array}$$

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Lemma 3 (General).

The structure of the odd integer $\mathcal{X}$ when it reappears, given by ${\displaystyle \sum _{M>m}}{b}_M{2}^M+2^{m-1}+\cdots 2^{\mathcal{M}}+2^{\mathcal{M}}-1$, is possible only when $2^{\mathcal{M}}-1$ is the Trivial Governor, $2^{\mathcal{T}}-1$.

Proof. 

When $\mathcal{X}$ reappears, its Governor is $2^{\mathcal{M}}-1$. This Governor index is also shared by another term. Corollary 1 prohibits this situation. However, Corollary 5 allows sharing of Governor index if and only if the Trivial Governor is present. Therefore, for the odd integer $\mathcal{X}$ to repeat, the Governor $2^{\mathcal{M}}-1$ must be the Trivial Governor, $2^{\mathcal{T}}-1$. □

3. Generation Mapping for $3\mathcal{Z}+1$ Sequence

3.1. Ancestor Map

Theorem 2 ($3\mathcal{Z}+1$).

All the odd integers in the repeating cycle have the Trivial Governor $2^1-1$.

Proof. 

To trace the ancestors of the integer $\mathcal{X}$ upon its reappearance, the generation map is constructed. The ancestors are listed in Table 3.

Given that there can be a maximum of three terms in the product $(2^{\mu }-1)(2+1)+1$, the conditions for existence of an odd ancestor are tabulated in Table 4.

The odd ancestor according to the solution obtained in Table 4 and depicted with blue arrows in Table 3 is:

$$\begin{array}{c}\hfill \mathrm{Odd}\mathrm{ancestor}=\cdots +2^7+2^5+2^3+2^1-1\end{array}$$

From the structure of this odd ancestor, it is evident that the Governor of the odd ancestor is the Trivial Governor. Similarly, all ancestors end in the Trivial Governor. Therefore, unless the original Governor of $\mathcal{X}$ is also the Trivial Governor, it cannot be part of the repeating cycle. Additionally, the solution $i=2$ suggests that two even integers are present between the odd integers in a repeating cycle.

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3.2. Successor Map

Theorem 3

($3\mathcal{Z}+1$). There exists no auxiliary cycle.

Proof. 

Assume there is an auxiliary cycle with at least two distinct odd integers $\mathcal{X}$ and ${\mathcal{X}}_1$ where ${\mathcal{X}}_1>\mathcal{X}$. Additionally, let $\mathcal{X}$ end in $2^P+2^1-1$. The relation between $\mathcal{X}$ and ${\mathcal{X}}_1$ is given by:

$$\begin{array}{cc}\hfill {\mathcal{X}}_1& =\mathcal{OE}\left(\mathcal{X}\right)\hfill \\ \hfill & =\mathcal{OE}(2^P+2^1-1)\hfill \\ \hfill & =2^{P-1}+2^1\hfill \end{array}$$

For ${\mathcal{X}}_1$ to be odd, P must be 1. Substituting $P=1$ into the expression of $\mathcal{X}$, the Governor of $\mathcal{X}$ changes to $2^2-1$. Therefore, $\mathcal{X}$ cannot be part of the repeating cycle, according to Theorem 2.

Thus, no auxiliary cycle exist.

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4. Generation Mapping for $5\mathcal{Z}+1$ Sequence

4.1. Ancestor Map

Theorem 4 ($5\mathcal{Z}+1$).

All the odd integers in the repeating cycle either have the Trivial Governor $2^2-1$ or $2^1-1$.

Proof. 

The odd integer $\mathcal{X}$ upon reappearance can end in either $2^2+2^2-1$ or $2^1+2^1-1$ according to Theorem 1. The ancestor map for $\mathcal{X}$ ending in $2^1+2^1-1$ is shown in Table 5.

Given that there can be a maximum of three terms in the product $(2^{\mu }-1)(2^2+1)+1$, the conditions for existence of an odd ancestor are tabulated in Table 6.

One of the odd ancestor is depicted with blue arrows in Table 5. The odd ancestors according to the solution obtained in Table 6 are:

$$\begin{array}{cc}\hfill \mathrm{Odd}\mathrm{ancestor}& =\cdots +2^6+2^3+2^2+2^1-1\hfill \\ \hfill & \mathrm{Or}\hfill \\ \hfill \mathrm{Odd}\mathrm{ancestor}& =\cdots +2^9+2^7+2^5+2^2-1\hfill \end{array}$$

It is seen that all the odd integers either have the Trivial Governor $2^2-1$ or $2^1-1$. Therefore, unless the original Governor of $\mathcal{X}$ is a Trivial Governor of $5\mathcal{Z}+1$, it cannot be part of the repeating cycle.

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4.2. Successor Map

Lemma 4

($5\mathcal{Z}+1$). The smallest odd integer that is part of a repeating cycle has the Trivial Governor $2^1-1$.

Proof. 

Consider a repeating cycle with two odd integers, $\mathcal{X}$ and ${\mathcal{X}}_1$, where ${\mathcal{X}}_1>\mathcal{X}$. Suppose $\mathcal{X}$ ends with the terms $2^P+2^2-1$. Since $\mathcal{X}$ is smaller than ${\mathcal{X}}_1$, the odd step is followed by at most two even steps.

$$\begin{array}{cc}\hfill \mathcal{X}& =2^P+2^2-1\hfill \\ \hfill \mathcal{OE}\left(\mathcal{X}\right)& =2^{P-1}+2^3\hfill \\ \hfill \mathcal{OEE}\left(\mathcal{X}\right)& =2^{P-2}+2^2\hfill \end{array}$$

If ${\mathcal{X}}_1=\mathcal{OE}\left(\mathcal{X}\right)$, then $P=1$, and the Trivial Governor of $\mathcal{X}$ is $2^1-1$. If ${\mathcal{X}}_1=\mathcal{OEE}\left(\mathcal{X}\right)$, then $P=2$, and the Governor of $\mathcal{X}$ is $2^3-1$. According to Theorem 4, this does not form a repeating cycle.

Thus, if $\mathcal{X}$ is the smallest odd integer in a repeating cycle, it must have the Trivial Governor $2^1-1$.

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Theorem 5

($5\mathcal{Z}+1$). The smallest odd integers that form an auxiliary cycle are smaller than $2^5$.

Proof. 

Let $\mathcal{X}$ be the smallest odd integer in an auxiliary cycle, expressed as $2^P+2^Q+2^R+2^1-1$, where $P>Q>R$. The successor map, shown in Table Section 4.2, is constructed according to Theorem 4 and based on the fact that $\mathcal{X}$ is the smallest odd integer.

The successor map in Table Section 4.2 can be interpreted as follows: Successor maps for $R=2$ and $R=4$ do not fail and may continue indefinitely while following Theorem 4 and ensuring that $\mathcal{X}$ remains the smallest odd integer. However, whether $R=2$ and $R=4$ actually form an auxiliary sequence is uncertain without actual calculation or prior knowledge, as is the case here. In contrast, the successor maps for $R=3$, $Q=5$, and $Q=6$ definitely fail.

Thus, if $\mathcal{X}$ forms an auxiliary cycle, it must be smaller than $2^5$.

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5. Integers That ‘May’ Diverge

Theorem 6

($3\mathcal{Z}+1$). The integers may take a long time to converge to 1, but they cannot escape this convergence indefinitely.

Proof. 

Consider the dynamics of the Collatz-type sequences shown in Table 2. For the $5\mathcal{Z}+1$ sequence, integers may avoid shrinking in value if m is odd, or if the trivial cycle is interrupted, or if the Trivial Governor $2^2-1$ is avoided. In contrast, the $3\mathcal{Z}+1$ sequence always experiences a shrinking phase, regardless of whether m is even or odd.. Additionally, there is only one Trivial Governor, and, as discussed in Theorem 1, all Governors eventually lead to the Trivial Governor. This leaves the following options to avoid convergence to 1:

• An infinite value of m.
• Alternatively, each time the Trivial Governor appears, it is interrupted and transformed into a higher index Governor.

Consider the second approach for $\mathcal{X}=2^a+2^3+2^2-1$. The Trivial Governor is obtained when

$$\begin{array}{cc}\hfill \mathcal{OEOEE}\left(\mathcal{X}\right)& =2^a+2^{a-3}+2^3+2^2+2^1-1\hfill \end{array}$$

If $a=4$, the Trivial Governor can be transformed into a higher index Governor:

$$\begin{array}{cc}\hfill \mathcal{OEOEE}\left(\mathcal{X}\right)& =2^4+2^{4-3}+2^3+2^2+2-1\hfill \\ \hfill \mathcal{OEOEE}\left(\mathcal{X}\right)& =2^5-1\hfill \end{array}$$

The Governor obtained is higher than the original Governor in $\mathcal{X}$. However, this method requires an infinite number of carefully chosen terms to indefinitely avoid the Trivial Governor.

Thus, while an infinitely large integer may prolong the convergence to 1, it cannot avoid it entirely.

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6. Conclusions

It is shown that for an odd integer $\mathcal{X}$ to reappear in any Collatz-type sequence, its Governor must be the Trivial Governor of that sequence. Applied to the $3\mathcal{Z}+1$ sequence, it is observed that the repeating cycle consists of odd integers that end in $2^1-1$ and are separated by two even integers, forming the trivial cycle. No auxiliary cycles are found in this case.

In the $5\mathcal{Z}+1$ sequence, the odd integers in any repeating cycle either have the Trivial Governor $2^1-1$ or $2^2-1$. Furthermore, the smallest odd integers forming an auxiliary cycle are found to be smaller than $2^5$.

Finally, attempts to construct an integer that may diverge in the $3\mathcal{Z}+1$ sequence reveal that such an integer might not be possible.