Question

Pick any number. If that number is even, divide it by 2. If it's odd, multiply it by 3 and add 1. Now repeat the process with your new number. If you keep going, you'll eventually end up at 1. Explain why you get 1 every time. I don't know why I end up with 1 every single time. Can someone help me please?

Answer 1

Because the process by itself will force the numbers to be eventually reduced to an even number whose half is always another even number. For example, if you start taking the number 3, the result will be 10; then, the result of 10 will be 5; then, the result will be 16. When you get 16, the result will be 8, then 4, then 2 and finally 1.

Explanation: