Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4595402 Journal of Number Theory 2006 14 Pages PDF
Abstract

The 3x+1 semigroup is the multiplicative semigroup S of positive rational numbers generated by together with {2}. This semigroup encodes backwards iteration under the 3x+1 map, and the 3x+1 conjecture implies that it contains every positive integer. This semigroup is proved to be the set of positive rationals in lowest terms with , and so contains all positive integers.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Mathematics Algebra and Number Theory