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Struggling with the 3x + 1 problem

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2016

Stuart Anderson
Stuart Anderson*
Affiliation:
East Texas State University, Commerce, TX 75428
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Extract

A famous unsolved problem in mathematics is the 3x + 1 conjecture. An excellent discussion of its origin and history is found in [2]. It is deceptively simple to state. Many are tempted to try it because of its enticing appearance. One aim of this note is to warn the uninitiated that a person can grow old and infirm by trying to solve the problem. There are probably fine mathematicians who have frittered away what might have been productive periods of their lives working on this devilish puzzle. The other aim is to say something at least mildly interesting about a question that I can’t answer. These are the writings of a person who has been frustrated, but not defeated, by the 3x + 1 conjecture.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Mathematical Gazette , Volume 71 , Issue 458 , December 1987 , pp. 271 - 274
Copyright
Copyright © The Mathematical Association 1987

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References

1. Anderson, S. and Corvin, J., Problem B-546, Fibonacci Quarterly 24, 182–183 (1986).Google Scholar
2. Lagarias, J., The 3x + 1 problem and its generalizations, American Mathematical Monthly 92, 3–23 (1985).Google Scholar