Novel theorems and algorithms relating to the Collatz conjecture (Q2238442)

The authors study the well-known Collatz conjecture. They establish a number of relationships and arithmetical properties within particular families of positive integers so as to put constraints on counterexamples. All results and algorithms are elementary and relate to the previous work of \textit{T. Oliveira e Silva} [Math. Comput. 68, No. 225, 371--384 (1999; Zbl 0919.11020)] among others. Mathematical expressions like \(4^{k} - 1/3\), used frequently throughout the paper, should read \((4^{k} - 1)/3\).