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ZENODO
Preprint . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Preprint . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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From Infinite to Finite: A Proof of the Collatz Conjecture via Prefix Partition and Height Descent

Authors: Sherratt, Sadie;

From Infinite to Finite: A Proof of the Collatz Conjecture via Prefix Partition and Height Descent

Abstract

We present a complete proof of the Collatz conjecture for all positive integers under thestandard map T (n) = 3n + 1 for odd n and T (n) = n/2 for even n, and we extend the resultnaturally to negative integers using T (n) = 3n − 1 for odd n < 0.Our approach introduces a height-based contraction metric and partitions the integers intoa finite set of structural classes based on fixed-length base-3 representations. We prove thatevery such class contracts via a verified representative and that bounded tail variation does notprevent contraction.We show that all positive integers eventually enter a finite verified basin below 2^68, fromwhich convergence to the terminal cycle {1, 2, 4} is guaranteed. Under the symmetric exten-sion for negative integers, we prove that all negative trajectories converge to the unique cycle{−1, −2, −4}.This yields a complete, structurally finite proof of the Collatz conjecture for all n ∈ Z.

Keywords

Prefix Class, Computational Verification, Symbolic Dynamics, Number Theory, Dynamical systems, Contradiction Proof, Recursive Structure, Collatz Conjecture, Ternery Representation, Pure mathematics, Discrete mathematics, Algorithmic Verification, Height Function

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citations
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green