The Collatz problem: Progress and perspectives

Abstract: The Collatz problem concerns the iteration of the map $C(n) = n/2$ if $n$ is even; $C(n) = 3n + 1$ if $n$ is odd, on the positive integers. It asks whether the integer 1 is reached for all starting values $n$. This talk surveys some history and recent progress towards the Collatz Problem. It offers some perspectives on its difficulty.

number theory

Audience: researchers in the topic

Combinatorial and additive number theory seminar (CANT 2026)