Collatz conjecture

proper noun

The conjecture that the process of taking a number n and, if n is even, dividing it by 2, or if n is odd, multiplying it by 3 and adding 1, then repeating this process, will eventually yield 1.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. mathematicsThe conjecture that the process of taking a number n and, if n is even, dividing it by 2, or if n is odd, multiplying it by 3 and adding 1, then repeating this process, will eventually yield 1.

Origin

Named after Lothar Collatz, who first proposed it in 1937.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Icelandic tilgáta Collatz
  • tilgáta Collatzthe conjecture
Cite this entry
APA

Collatz conjecture. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Collatz%20conjecture

MLA

“Collatz conjecture.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Collatz%20conjecture. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Collatz conjecture,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Collatz%20conjecture.

Source: Collatz conjecture on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.