Communities

Writing
Writing
Codidact Meta
Codidact Meta
The Great Outdoors
The Great Outdoors
Photography & Video
Photography & Video
Scientific Speculation
Scientific Speculation
Cooking
Cooking
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Judaism
Judaism
Languages & Linguistics
Languages & Linguistics
Software Development
Software Development
Mathematics
Mathematics
Christianity
Christianity
Code Golf
Code Golf
Music
Music
Physics
Physics
Linux Systems
Linux Systems
Power Users
Power Users
Tabletop RPGs
Tabletop RPGs
Community Proposals
Community Proposals
tag:snake search within a tag
answers:0 unanswered questions
user:xxxx search by author id
score:0.5 posts with 0.5+ score
"snake oil" exact phrase
votes:4 posts with 4+ votes
created:<1w created < 1 week ago
post_type:xxxx type of post
Search help
Notifications
Mark all as read See all your notifications »
Challenges

Post History

81%
+7 −0
Challenges Collatz conjecture; Count the tries to reach $1$

Background Check out this video on the Collatz conjecture, also known as A006577. If you don't know what this is, we're given an equation of $3x + 1$, and it is applied this way: If $x$ is odd...

15 answers  ·  posted 2y ago by General Sebast1an‭  ·  last activity 2y ago by torres‭

Question code-golf math number
#3: Post edited by user avatar celtschk‭ · 2021-09-30T15:07:14Z (over 2 years ago)
Turned link-only footnote into direct links
Collatz conjecture; Count the tries to reach $1$
  • # Background
  • Check out [this video on the Collatz conjecture](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094y1Z2wpJg), also known as A006577[^1].
  • If you don't know what this is, we're given an equation of $3x + 1$, and it is applied this way:
  • - If $x$ is odd, then $3x + 1$.
  • - If $x$ is even, then $\frac{x}{2}$.
  • This will send us in a loop of `4 → 2 → 1 → 4 → 2 → 1...`, which got me into making this challenge.
  • # Challenge
  • Write a program that establishes the Collatz conjecture:
  • - Take input of a positive integer. This will be the $x$ of the problem.
  • - Read the background for how it works, or watch the video for further explanation.
  • - The result should be how many turns it would take before reaching $1$. There, the sequence stops.
  • - This is <a class="badge is-tag">code-golf</a>, so the shortest program in each language wins!
  • # Test Cases
  • From 1 to 10:
  • ```
  • 1 → 0 (1)
  • 2 → 1 (2 → 1)
  • 3 → 7 (3 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 4 → 2 (4 → 2 → 1)
  • 5 → 5 (5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 6 → 8 (6 → 3 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 7 → 16 (7 → 22 → 11 → 34 → 17 → 52 → 26 → 13 → 40 → 20 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 8 → 3 (8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 9 → 19 (9 → 28 → 14 → 7 → 22 → 11 → 34 → 17 → 52 → 26 → 13 → 40 → 20 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 10 → 6 (10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • ```
  • More of these can be found on OEIS (see reference 1). Thanks to [**@Shaggy**](https://codegolf.codidact.com/users/53588) for the link!
  • [^1]: https://oeis.org/A006577
  • # Background
  • Check out [this video on the Collatz conjecture](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094y1Z2wpJg), also known as [A006577][1].
  • If you don't know what this is, we're given an equation of $3x + 1$, and it is applied this way:
  • - If $x$ is odd, then $3x + 1$.
  • - If $x$ is even, then $\frac{x}{2}$.
  • This will send us in a loop of `4 → 2 → 1 → 4 → 2 → 1...`, which got me into making this challenge.
  • # Challenge
  • Write a program that establishes the Collatz conjecture:
  • - Take input of a positive integer. This will be the $x$ of the problem.
  • - Read the background for how it works, or watch the video for further explanation.
  • - The result should be how many turns it would take before reaching $1$. There, the sequence stops.
  • - This is <a class="badge is-tag">code-golf</a>, so the shortest program in each language wins!
  • # Test Cases
  • From 1 to 10:
  • ```
  • 1 → 0 (1)
  • 2 → 1 (2 → 1)
  • 3 → 7 (3 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 4 → 2 (4 → 2 → 1)
  • 5 → 5 (5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 6 → 8 (6 → 3 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 7 → 16 (7 → 22 → 11 → 34 → 17 → 52 → 26 → 13 → 40 → 20 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 8 → 3 (8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 9 → 19 (9 → 28 → 14 → 7 → 22 → 11 → 34 → 17 → 52 → 26 → 13 → 40 → 20 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 10 → 6 (10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • ```
  • More of these can be found [on OEIS][1]. Thanks to [**@Shaggy**](https://codegolf.codidact.com/users/53588) for the link!
  • [1]: https://oeis.org/A006577
#2: Post edited by user avatar General Sebast1an‭ · 2021-09-16T10:43:04Z (over 2 years ago)
  • > This challenge is currently under beta release. If given enough positivity, it will remain here and stand as a fully released challenge. Otherwise, it will be deleted and put back in the [sandboxed post](https://codegolf.codidact.com/posts/284040/). Please fix the errors there instead.
  • # Background
  • Check out [this video on the Collatz conjecture](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094y1Z2wpJg), also known as A006577[^1].
  • If you don't know what this is, we're given an equation of $3x + 1$, and it is applied this way:
  • - If $x$ is odd, then $3x + 1$.
  • - If $x$ is even, then $\frac{x}{2}$.
  • This will send us in a loop of `4 → 2 → 1 → 4 → 2 → 1...`, which got me into making this challenge.
  • # Challenge
  • Write a program that establishes the Collatz conjecture:
  • - Take input of a positive integer. This will be the $x$ of the problem.
  • - Read the background for how it works, or watch the video for further explanation.
  • - The result should be how many turns it would take before reaching $1$. There, the sequence stops.
  • - This is <a class="badge is-tag">code-golf</a>, so the shortest program in each language wins!
  • # Test Cases
  • From 1 to 10:
  • ```
  • 1 → 0 (1)
  • 2 → 1 (2 → 1)
  • 3 → 7 (3 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 4 → 2 (4 → 2 → 1)
  • 5 → 5 (5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 6 → 8 (6 → 3 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 7 → 16 (7 → 22 → 11 → 34 → 17 → 52 → 26 → 13 → 40 → 20 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 8 → 3 (8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 9 → 19 (9 → 28 → 14 → 7 → 22 → 11 → 34 → 17 → 52 → 26 → 13 → 40 → 20 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 10 → 6 (10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • ```
  • More of these can be found on OEIS (see reference 1). Thanks to [**@Shaggy**](https://codegolf.codidact.com/users/53588) for the link!
  • [^1]: https://oeis.org/A006577
  • # Background
  • Check out [this video on the Collatz conjecture](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094y1Z2wpJg), also known as A006577[^1].
  • If you don't know what this is, we're given an equation of $3x + 1$, and it is applied this way:
  • - If $x$ is odd, then $3x + 1$.
  • - If $x$ is even, then $\frac{x}{2}$.
  • This will send us in a loop of `4 → 2 → 1 → 4 → 2 → 1...`, which got me into making this challenge.
  • # Challenge
  • Write a program that establishes the Collatz conjecture:
  • - Take input of a positive integer. This will be the $x$ of the problem.
  • - Read the background for how it works, or watch the video for further explanation.
  • - The result should be how many turns it would take before reaching $1$. There, the sequence stops.
  • - This is <a class="badge is-tag">code-golf</a>, so the shortest program in each language wins!
  • # Test Cases
  • From 1 to 10:
  • ```
  • 1 → 0 (1)
  • 2 → 1 (2 → 1)
  • 3 → 7 (3 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 4 → 2 (4 → 2 → 1)
  • 5 → 5 (5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 6 → 8 (6 → 3 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 7 → 16 (7 → 22 → 11 → 34 → 17 → 52 → 26 → 13 → 40 → 20 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 8 → 3 (8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 9 → 19 (9 → 28 → 14 → 7 → 22 → 11 → 34 → 17 → 52 → 26 → 13 → 40 → 20 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • 10 → 6 (10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
  • ```
  • More of these can be found on OEIS (see reference 1). Thanks to [**@Shaggy**](https://codegolf.codidact.com/users/53588) for the link!
  • [^1]: https://oeis.org/A006577
#1: Initial revision by user avatar General Sebast1an‭ · 2021-09-14T11:40:25Z (over 2 years ago)
Collatz conjecture; Count the tries to reach $1$
> This challenge is currently under beta release. If given enough positivity, it will remain here and stand as a fully released challenge. Otherwise, it will be deleted and put back in the [sandboxed post](https://codegolf.codidact.com/posts/284040/). Please fix the errors there instead.

# Background

Check out [this video on the Collatz conjecture](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094y1Z2wpJg), also known as A006577[^1].

If you don't know what this is, we're given an equation of $3x + 1$, and it is applied this way:

- If $x$ is odd, then $3x + 1$.
- If $x$ is even, then $\frac{x}{2}$.

This will send us in a loop of `4 → 2 → 1 → 4 → 2 → 1...`, which got me into making this challenge.

# Challenge

Write a program that establishes the Collatz conjecture:

- Take input of a positive integer. This will be the $x$ of the problem.
- Read the background for how it works, or watch the video for further explanation.
- The result should be how many turns it would take before reaching $1$. There, the sequence stops.
- This is <a class="badge is-tag">code-golf</a>, so the shortest program in each language wins!

# Test Cases

From 1 to 10:
```
1  → 0  (1)
2  → 1  (2 → 1)
3  → 7  (3 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
4  → 2  (4 → 2 → 1)
5  → 5  (5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
6  → 8  (6 → 3 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
7  → 16 (7 → 22 → 11 → 34 → 17 → 52 → 26 → 13 → 40 → 20 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
8  → 3  (8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
9  → 19 (9 → 28 → 14 → 7 → 22 → 11 → 34 → 17 → 52 → 26 → 13 → 40 → 20 → 10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
10 → 6  (10 → 5 → 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1)
```

More of these can be found on OEIS (see reference 1). Thanks to [**@Shaggy**](https://codegolf.codidact.com/users/53588) for the link!

[^1]: https://oeis.org/A006577