A note on the generalized 3n+1 problem
Let \(m>d\geq 2\) be two integers with \(\text{gcd}(d,m)=1\), let \(R_d\) be a complete set of non-zero residues mod \(d\), and denote by \(\varphi:{\mathbb N}\to R_d\) the natural projection. Then the Hasse function is given by \(H(x)=x/d\) if \(x\equiv 0\bmod d\), \(H(x)=(mx-\varphi(mx))/d\) otherwise. This generalizes Collatz' \(3x+1\) function which is given by \(m=3\), \(d=2\), \(R_2=\{-1\}\). The paper concentrates on the case \(m<d^{d/(d-1)}\) and studies orbits \({\mathcal O}(n):=(n,H(n),H^2(n),\ldots)\) generated by iterating \(H\). Define \(a\sim b\) iff \(H^k(a)=H^k(b)\) for some integer \(k\geq 0\), and let \(\mathcal P\) be a complete set of representatives of \({\mathbb N/\sim}\); \(\mathcal P\) contains at least one point from each orbit. If \({\mathcal O}(n)\) diverges to \(+\infty\), then \({\mathcal P}\) can be chosen to contain \({\mathcal O}(n)\). The Banach density of \(B\subset\mathbb N\) is defined by \[ \rho_b(B):=\limsup_{n\to\infty}\left( \max_{a\in\mathbb N}{\#(B\cap\{a,\ldots,a+n-1\})\over n}\right); \] it is an upper bound for the natural asymptotic density of \(B\), when the latter exists. The main result of the paper is the equation \(\rho_b({\mathcal P})=0\). The proof uses a result of \textit{E. Heppner} [Arch. Math. 31, 317-320 (1978; Zbl 0377.10027)]. A corollary is that a divergent \(3n+1\) trajectory, if it exists, has Banach density zero. This corresponds nicely to a remark by \textit{J. C. Lagarias} [Am. Math. Mon. 92, 3-23 (1985; Zbl 0566.10007)] that such a trajectory ``cannot grow too slowly.
- Averaging structure in the \(3x+1\) problem
- Iterates of Number Theoretic Functions with Periodic Rational Coefficients (Generalization of the 3x+ 1 Problem)
- Almost all orbits of the Collatz map attain almost bounded values
- Functional equations connected with the Collatz problem
- scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1059213
- On the \(3x+1\) problem
- A note on Mignosi's generalization of the \((3X+1)\)-problem
- The dynamical system generated by the \(3n+1\) function
- On a generalization of the 3x+1 problem
- scientific article; zbMATH DE number 6662506
This page was built for publication: A note on the generalized 3n+1 problem
Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q4703814)
