3 becomes 10 becomes 5 becomes 16

[kmikias]

Hi,I have one question for you guys because I try but didn't quite work.Last week one of professor asked me a question . he asked me this.

Think of a number (a positive integer), If it's odd, muliply by three and add one. If it's even, divide by two. Repeat this proces.

like this one : 3 becomes 10 becomes 5 becomes 16 becomes 8 becomes 25 becomes ...etc

Do you always reach 1 at some point Or are there any numbers which never reach 1?

And finally I try to find this idea in the internet but I didn't get what trying to say.

 

[HallsofIvy]

that's the "Collatz conjecture". If you find a proof, don't tell your professor, he will only publish it as his own and become famous- send it to me instead!