[metmom]

It makes no sense. It’s like someone didn’t explain the whole procedure.

Anyone can take an even number and divide by 2 or an odd number and divide by 3 and add 1.

So then what?

[Teflonic]

Here, this should clarify it:

[Dan Cooper]

It’s an algorithm that you repeatedly apply.

If the number is even then divide by 2

else if the number is odd then multiply by 3 and add 1

Repeat until the number is 1

The conjecture is that this will always result in 1 eventually, but it has not been explained why or if that is actually true.

[PapaBear3625]

example: pick a number, like 42

42 / 2 = 21

21 * 3 + 1 = 64

64 / 2 = 32

/ 2 = 16

/ 2 = 8

/ 2 = 4

/ 2 = 2

/ 2 = 1

It says, whatever number you pick, you will arrive at 1

[Political Junkie Too]

For odd, multiply it by 3 and add 1.

Here is the graphic that didn't come through on the posted article:

-PJ

[lepton]

Then you go back and read what it says, and compare to what you wrote. :)

[Jim W N]

The problem is stated this way:

- if “begin” n is even, then “new” n = n/2

- if “begin” n is odd, then “new” n = 3n +1

You continue the calculation as long as you can.

So far, if “begin” n = ANY whole number, the calculation ends up at “end” n =1 which infinitely loops with 4 and back to 1 again.

The mathematical issue is given any whole number as “begin” n, no understandable pattern emerges - the results seem random. The lack of a discernable pattern is apparently the mathematical problem.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5mFpVDpKX70