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Python Challenges: 3n + 1 Problem

Python Challenges - 1: Exercise-23 with Solution

Write a Python program where you take any positive integer n, if n is even, divide it by 2 to get n / 2. If n is odd, multiply it by 3 and add 1 to obtain 3n + 1. Repeat the process until you reach 1.

According to Wikipedia, the Collatz conjecture is a conjecture in mathematics named after Lothar Collatz, who first proposed it in 1937. The conjecture is also known as the 3n + 1 conjecture.
The conjecture can be summarized as follows. Take any positive integer n. If n is even, divide it by 2 to get n / 2. If n is odd, multiply it by 3 and add 1 to obtain 3n + 1. Repeat the process (which has been called "Half Or Triple Plus One") indefinitely. The conjecture is that no matter what number you start with, you will always eventually reach 1.
Example:
For instance, starting with n = 12, one gets the sequence 12, 6, 3, 10, 5, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1.
n = 19, for example, takes longer to reach 1: 19, 58, 29, 88, 44, 22, 11, 34, 17, 52, 26, 13, 40, 20, 10, 5, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1.

Explanation:

Python: 3n + 1 Problem

Sample Solution:-

Python Code:

def collatz_sequence(x):
    num_seq = [x]
    if x < 1:
       return []
    while x > 1:
       if x % 2 == 0:
         x = x / 2
       else:
         x = 3 * x + 1
    # Added line
       num_seq.append(x)    
    return num_seq

print(collatz_sequence(12))

print(collatz_sequence(19))

Sample Output:

[12, 6.0, 3.0, 10.0, 5.0, 16.0, 8.0, 4.0, 2.0, 1.0]
[19, 58, 29.0, 88.0, 44.0, 22.0, 11.0, 34.0, 17.0, 52.0, 26.0, 13.0, 40.0, 20.0, 10.0, 5.0, 16.0, 8.0, 4.0, 2.
0, 1.0]

Flowchart:

Python Flowchart: 3n + 1 Problem

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Python: Tips of the Day

Find current directory and file's directory:

To get the full path to the directory a Python file is contained in, write this in that file:

import os 
dir_path = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))

(Note that the incantation above won't work if you've already used os.chdir() to change your current working directory, since the value of the __file__ constant is relative to the current working directory and is not changed by an os.chdir() call.)

To get the current working directory use

import os
cwd = os.getcwd()

Documentation references for the modules, constants and functions used above:

  • The os and os.path modules.
  • The __file__ constant
  • os.path.realpath(path) (returns "the canonical path of the specified filename, eliminating any symbolic links encountered in the path")
  • os.path.dirname(path) (returns "the directory name of pathname path")
  • os.getcwd() (returns "a string representing the current working directory")
  • os.chdir(path) ("change the current working directory to path")

Ref: https://bit.ly/3fy0R6m