A Complete Proof of the Collatz Conjecture for a Set of Natural Density One
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This paper provides a complete, self-contained proof that the Collatz conjecture holds for a set of integers of natural density 1. The proof is structured in two main parts. First, we establish a conditional theorem, demonstrating that if the parity prefixes of Collatz orbits are equidistributed with an exponentially small error (a property we call Lemma Q1), then the set of integers that fail to converge to 1 has natural density zero. This is achieved via a ”macro-block” counting argument. Second, we prove Lemma Q1 unconditionally. To do this, we reframe the Collatz map as a dynamical system on the 2-adic integers. We define its transfer operator and, by proving a Lasota-Yorke style inequality, establish the existence of a spectral gap. This gap implies an exponentially fast loss of memory in the system, which is precisely the strong form of local randomness required by Lemma Q1. With both the conditional framework and its prerequisite now proven, the main theorem is established.
Author: Peter, Romain
Language: English
Subfield: Mathematical Physics
Field: Mathematics
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7085594599
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