Goodstein sequence

noun

A sequence of natural numbers generated from an initial value m, starting with that value, and proceeding by performing certain operations on it. Although such sequences rapidly produce very large numbers, they always terminate at zero.

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Meanings

nounGoodstein sequence (plural Goodstein sequences)

plural Goodstein sequences

  1. mathematicsA sequence of natural numbers generated from an initial value m, starting with that value, and proceeding by performing certain operations on it. Although such sequences rapidly produce very large numbers, they always terminate at zero.

Origin

Named after Reuben Goodstein (1912–1985), English mathematician.

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Cite this entry
APA

Goodstein sequence. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Goodstein%20sequence

MLA

“Goodstein sequence.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Goodstein%20sequence. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Goodstein sequence,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Goodstein%20sequence.

Source: Goodstein sequence on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.