What Comes After 358885 in This Mysterious Sequence?

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses a numerical sequence that ends with the number 358885, with participants exploring what the next number in the sequence might be. The conversation includes elements of mathematical reasoning and challenges related to deducing the sequence's pattern.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the sequence: 1, 5, 9, 101, 1385, 3493, 30121, 358885, and asks for ideas on the next number.
  • Another participant provides a specific number, 225859433, and links to the OEIS entry for the sequence, suggesting it may be a known sequence.
  • A subsequent reply questions the approach of providing an answer without allowing others to deduce it themselves, implying a concern about the integrity of the challenge.
  • Another participant suggests that the original poster should clarify that they are issuing a math challenge and that they know the answer.
  • One participant expresses curiosity about how to deduce the next number, proposing that converting to base 4 might be necessary to understand the sequence.
  • A later reply indicates a misunderstanding, suggesting that the original poster's inquiry was meant for community engagement rather than personal research.
  • Another participant introduces a different sequence: 1, 2, 42, 24024, and asks for the next number, indicating a shift in focus to another mathematical challenge.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the next number in the original sequence, with multiple competing views and approaches being discussed. The nature of the challenge and the method of deriving answers also remain contested.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of missing assumptions regarding the sequence's generation and the methods required to deduce the next number. The discussion also reflects varying interpretations of the intent behind the original question.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in mathematical sequences, problem-solving challenges, and those who enjoy engaging in community discussions around numerical patterns may find this thread useful.

holomorphic
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1, 5, 9, 101, 1385, 3493, 30121, 358885, ... ?

Anyone have any good ideas?
 
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TriTertButoxy said:
225859433

http://oeis.org/A098097

I'm assuming you cheated by searching for the terms...

Gotta admit, I'm a little bothered by the fact you precluded anyone from actually trying.
 
Perhaps you should state that you're issuing a math challenge and that you actually know what the answer is.
 
vr88 said:
Perhaps you should state that you're issuing a math challenge and that you actually know what the answer is.

I'm issuing a math challenge.

I actually know what the answer is.
 
I'm curious how someone would deduce the answer to this. You'd have to convert to base 4 before you could see the actual sequence being used, right?
 
DavidSnider said:
I'm curious how someone would deduce the answer to this. You'd have to convert to base 4 before you could see the actual sequence being used, right?

I, personally, would have to.
 
Sorry, I thought this was part of your research, and you wanted to know the answer. I didn't realize that this was a problem for the community.
 
how about this one, what's the next number?

1, 2, 42, 24024, ...
 

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