Collatz Loop Generator

The Collatz Conjecture involves an algorithm where you start with a number, decide the next number by:

If the current number is odd, then multiply by 3 and add 1

If the current number is even, then divide by 2

Then repeat the process until you reach a loop.

With 3x+1, only 4 loops are known. The smallest number in each loop is 1, -1, -5, and -17 respectively.

However infinitely many loops exist if instead of 3x+1 we look at 3x+C, where C can be any integer.

The excel spreadsheet asks you how you want your loop to behave, and it will calculate and display the loop for you including:

• C in the 3x+C step to apply on odd numbers
• the entire loop sequence

I have made a website that utilizes this tool with the ability to calculate much larger numbers (far beyond Excel's integer limit). You can go to www.collatzloops.com to play with the tool there.